Irish Soda Bread with Raisins Caraway (Print)
Tender quick bread with raisins and caraway seeds. Traditional Irish favorite, ready in 55 minutes.
# Ingredient list:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
04 - 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
→ Flavorings
05 - 1 cup raisins
06 - 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
→ Wet Ingredients
07 - 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
08 - 1 large egg
→ Fat
09 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
03 - Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - Stir in the raisins and caraway seeds until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg until well combined.
06 - Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the buttermilk mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined; do not overmix.
07 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead 6 to 8 times until it comes together, being mindful that it will be sticky.
08 - Shape into a round loaf approximately 7 inches in diameter. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
09 - Using a sharp knife, cut a deep X across the top of the loaf, approximately 1/2 inch deep.
10 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
11 - Cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The crusty exterior gives way to a surprisingly tender crumb that makes you wonder why you dont bake bread more often.
- It requires no rising time, meaning you can go from craving to eating warm bread in under an hour while feeling like a kitchen wizard.
02 -
- The dough should be sticky - resist the urge to add more flour or youll end up with dry bread.
- That cross cut on top isnt just decorative - without it, the bread might not cook properly in the center and could crack unpredictably.
03 -
- Soak your raisins in hot tea or whiskey for 15 minutes before adding them to the dough for plumper, more flavorful bites throughout the bread.
- Use the coldest buttermilk possible straight from the refrigerator as this helps maintain those all-important butter chunks that create a tender crumb.