Irish soda bread uses simple ingredients to create a buttery and flaky bread with a crispy outer crust. Many recipes call for raisins, but I made it with chocolate chips so my kids would love it too.
What is Irish Soda Bread?
If you’re looking for a quick bread like apricot bread or nut bread, Irish soda bread is a great recipe to make. It requires no yeast, which is what makes it unique. Instead, it rises because of the combination of baking soda (hence, it’s name) and baking powder. There are many versions including this traditional recipe that included raisins and caraway seeds. You can, however, adapt this recipe as I did by adding chocolate chips instead.
Ingredients:
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- baking powder
- salt
- sugar
- butter
- buttermilk
- chocolate chips or raisins
How to Make Your Own Buttermilk
I typically don’t have any buttermilk on hand, at any time. For this recipe, you can make your own! The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of milk mixed with 3 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. You could also use regular distilled vinegar if that’s all you have.
How to Make Irish Bread In 5 Steps
- Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar together. Cut in the butter.
- Stir in the chocolate chips (or raisins). Add buttermilk and mix.
- Knead 8-10 times and roll into flattened ball and place in greased pie plate. Cut across the top.
- Bake at 400˚ F for 15 minutes, reduce temperature to 375˚F and bake for additional 25-30 minutes.
- Cool on a rack and serve warm with butter.
Substitutions and Additions
- Raisins: Use 1/2 cup of seedless raisins in substitution for the chocolate chips.
- Caraway Seeds: You can also add 2 teaspoons of caraway seeds if adding the raisins.
- Chocolate Chips: This one’s my favorite because my kids love it. But you can easily substitute something else.
More Bread Recipes
Irish Bread
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 Cup butter cold
- 1/2 Cup chocolate chips
- 3/4 Cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Mix together first flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until resembles corn meal.
- Stir in chocolate chips. Add buttermilk and until it forms a dough. Knead 8-10 times on a floured surface.
- Roll into ball and then flatten until approximately 7 inches in diameter. Place in greased pie plate. Cut across the top in cross pattern. Brush with buttermilk.
- Bake in preheated 400˚ F oven for 15 minutes and then 375˚ F for additional 25-30 minutes or until fully baked. Cool on rack. Eat warm.
Notes
Raisins: Use 1/2 cups of seedless raisins in substitution of the chocolate chips.
Caraway Seeds: You can also add 2 teaspoons of caraway seeds if adding the raisins.
Chocolate Chips: This one's my favorite because my kids love it. But you can easily substitute something else. How to Make Your Own Buttermilk: I typically don't have any buttermilk on hand, at any time. For this recipe, you can make your own! The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of milk mixed with 3 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. You could also use regular distilled vinegar if that's all you have.
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