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Irish Raisin Soda Bread Recipe quick bread recipe tastes like something straight out of a bakery and is perfect to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

Irish Soda Bread Recipe with Raisins recipe tastes like something straight out of a bakery and is perfect to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

Did everyone recover from that lost hour of sleep Saturday night/Sunday morning?  This is the first year that it’s really hit me losing that hour (a sign that I’m getting very, very old).   I did, however, enjoy that extra hour of sunshine more than ever so that totally made up for the lost sleep!  I have a big fat smiley face written on my calendar on “daylight savings begins” day. This is admittedly my favorite time of year when the days start getting longer and I know that better weather is coming so soon. (Pretty please, mother nature?)

Simple Irish Soda Bread Recipe with Raisins recipe tastes like something straight out of a bakery and is perfect to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day!

For a couple years now, I’ve had this recipe for Irish Raisin Soda Bread sitting around and intended on trying it out but finally just got around to baking it up.  I took full advantage of a night I had to myself to experiment with some St. Patrick’s day food.  I also made a homemade shamrock shake recipe that you can find the recipe for! Your kids will love that recipe!

I’m so glad you’re here! Follow along on Pinterest for more inspiration!

Irish Raisin Soda Bread recipe for March St. Patrick's Day.

Normally, I am not a huge fan of Irish Raisin Soda Bread as they always seem to be dry and bland to me.  I loved the taste and texture of this one, though.  My house smelled amazing while this bread was baking – so amazing that I only let it cool for a few minutes because I couldn’t wait to taste it.  I have zero patience, as you know!  It is truly fabulous with the orange zest as I thought it really bumped up the flavor a notch.  You can leave this out and still have good results, but I highly recommend that you don’t.  The dough was definitely a little sticky and moist.  It might be a bit hard to shape, but it will come together and this recipe really is easy to make overall.

This bread would be great for breakfast, a snack, or dessert!  I liked it best the next day toasted with butter.  It’s a great way to celebrate St. Patty’s day!

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Irish Raisin Soda Bread
Author: 
Recipe type: Bread
Cuisine: Irish
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 1 loaf
 
Irish Raisin Soda Bread Recipe quick bread recipe tastes like something straight out of a bakery and is perfect to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!
Ingredients
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for raisins/currants
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch dice
  • 1¾ cups cold buttermilk, shaken
  • 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest (can leave out)
  • 1 cup raisins or currants
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper (can also use a round cake or pie pan, like I did).
  2. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour. With a fork, lightly beat the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest together in a bowl.
  3. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the raisins/currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough (this will keep them from sinking during baking). It will be very wet.
  4. Dump the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead it a few times into a round loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a serrated knife.
  5. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean (mine took closer to 55). When you tap the loaf, it should have a hollow sound. Cool on a baking rack. I dusted the top with Rye flour to make it look nicer (optional). Serve warm or at room temperature.

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