Breakfast Irish Soda Bread - Recipe Girl (2024)

35 minutes minutes

5 from 2 votes

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This Breakfast Irish Soda Bread recipe has plenty of dried cherries and golden raisins mixed in.

Breakfast Irish Soda Bread - Recipe Girl (1)

My husband’s family is 100% Irish so I went searching for the perfect Irish Soda Bread recipe to try this year. He doesn’t really come from a family of cooks, so this proved to be a daunting task.

My husband’s second cousins came directly from Ireland so I figured I had it made with that part of the family. But sadly, no one had a recipe… not even one. Isn’t that just crazy? An Irish family without an authentic Irish Soda Bread family recipe. Bummer. Lesson learned here: write down your family recipes and make sure your kids get their hands on them. They’re treasures to be remembered and passed along!

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Lucky me, I’ve had this Breakfast Irish Soda Bread recipe sitting in my collection of recipes for a long time.

How to make Breakfast Irish Soda Bread:

The recipe begins in a food processor. Dry ingredients whirred together with butter and then dumped into a bowl to mix with buttermilk, eggs and the dried fruit.

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The dough is then dumped onto a floured surface, kneaded a bit and then divided in two.

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The two halves are then shaped into two round loaves.

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The bread bakes to a deep, golden brown- a crispy crust and a tender interior.Unlike some other breads, you can slice into this one immediately and sample the goods.

The bread itself isn’t all that sweet… the sweetness comes from the delicious addition of golden raisins and dried cherries. It’s a bread with a tender crumb. I don’t find it dry at all, and it’s especially good when it’s warm.

You might also like this recipe for Irish Soda Bread Muffins. And I’ve been eyeing this traditional Irish Beef and Guinness Stew too!

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5 from 2 votes

Breakfast Irish Soda Bread

This bread is delicious toasted, and topped with butter and honey.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 25 minutes mins

Cook Time: 35 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Course: Bread

Cuisine: Irish

Keyword: breakfast bread, irish soda bread, soda bread

Servings: 16 servings (2 loaves)

Calories: 183kcal

Author: RecipeGirl.com (adapted from Real Food)

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons (½ stick) cold, unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • cups buttermilk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • ¾ cup golden raisins (plus a few more raisins)
  • ¾ cup dried cherries (plus a few more cherries)
  • extra flour for dusting & kneading

Instructions

  1. Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Give it a couple of pulses, then add the butter pieces; pulse until butter is incorporated and small crumbs are formed.

  3. Pour the flour/butter mixture into a large bowl and make a well in the center. Add the buttermilk, egg, and egg yolk and stir just until moistened. Then stir in the ¾ cup raisins and ¾ cup cherries.

  4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 5 to 10 times (dusting flour lightly onto dough if it’s too sticky). Knead just until the dough comes together and is smooth. Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a round. Stud a few extra raisins and cherries into the tops of the loaves. Dust the tops of the rounds lightly with a little flour.

  5. Transfer the rounds to the prepared baking sheet, leaving about three inches between them. Place another baking sheet of the same size underneath to prevent burning. With a sharp knife, slash the tops with a large X about ½-inch deep.

  6. Bake until the loaves are a dark-golden brown and crusty, 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the X comes out clean. The loaf should sound hollow when tapped on the side.

  7. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store wrapped in plastic at room temperature or freeze in a zip bag for up to 2 months.

Notes

  • Using low fat buttermilk is just fine.
  • If you don't have a food processor, this recipe can be made by hand. Use your fingers to rub the flour and butter together to create the crumbs.
  • Check on your baking bread at about 25 minutes. If it appears to be browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1loaves, Calories: 183kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 33mg, Sodium: 321mg, Potassium: 112mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 357IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 85mg, Iron: 1mg

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Breakfast Irish Soda Bread - Recipe Girl (2024)

FAQs

Why is my Irish soda bread gummy? ›

And finally, don't immediately cut into the Fast Irish Soda bread when you pull it out of the oven. Although this bread is best served warm, cutting into it too quickly will turn the bread gummy.

Is there a difference between soda bread and Irish soda bread? ›

A soda bread defined in America

If you want to make an authentic Irish soda bread, the difference lies in what ingredients you should omit. According to Epicurious, Irish-American soda breads use caraway seeds and raisins in the recipe, while soda breads from Ireland lack both of these add-ins.

What is the myth behind Irish soda bread? ›

Contrary to a common misconceptions, the Irish did not import the Soda Bread recipe from the American Indians. This misconception is my fault because 30+ years ago on the original site I happened to mention Native Americans using Potash to make bread.

What is traditionally served with Irish soda bread? ›

The thick and hearty nature of Irish soda bread helps it pair very well with meaty stews (especially Irish stew). You can use it to soak up the juices as you eat or as a vehicle for the meat and vegetables. Traditionally, Irish soda bread is served with a slow-simmered beef and barley stew.

Should Irish soda bread dough be wet? ›

You're looking for a dough that's soft but not overly sticky or wet, and that holds together enough to make a loaf that can hold its shape on the sheet pan. If the dough is dry and crumbly, add up to 1/2 cup additional buttermilk, a tablespoon or so at a time, until it comes together.

Why is my soda bread so doughy in the middle? ›

soda bread should be baked at 350 on medium to low fan if you're using a convection oven.. if they had the right temp it also could be a problem with the leavening agent.. not enough baking soda could also leave a doughy texture in the middle, this also could affect part of the batch if it simply wasn't dispersed ...

Is Irish soda bread better warm or cold? ›

Although soda bread is ideal for serving at room temperature, it is better to serve it warm. The thick and cakey texture of the bread and warm temperature brings out its hearty flavors. If you can't have it fresh from the over at least have it toasted.

Is soda bread the healthiest bread? ›

Whole-wheat soda bread is a healthy addition to your plate! One serving—a 1/2-inch-thick slice—provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals.

Is soda bread better than sourdough? ›

Both types of bread use flour and contain refined carbohydrates. Sourdough bread would be considered healthier in the fact that it is a fermented food with lower gluten levels, making it easier to digest.

Why do you cut a cross on top of Irish soda bread? ›

I was always told that the cross on the top of Irish Soda Bread was to symbolize the Catholic faith of Ireland, and the Gaelic Cross. Some say it kept the Devil out, but that is what a cross is supposed to do also. Turns out that is true but more importantly, it helps in the baking of the bread.

Do people in Ireland eat Irish soda bread? ›

Almost every family in Ireland has its own recipe for this delicious bread, hand-written on a slip of floury paper, or tucked away in an old cookbook. While its ingredients may be simple, soda bread is an Irish tradition that has led the country through some of its darkest times.

Is Irish soda bread bad for you? ›

Yes! Between its straightforward recipe, short preparation and cooking time, and delicious taste, this is at the top of my list of bread to make! From traditional to added dried fruits, nuts and seeds, cheeses, and herbs, you can make your healthy Irish Soda Bread filled with heart healthy nutrients!

What is a full Irish breakfast? ›

A traditional full Irish breakfast comprises bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes, beans, soda bread or toast, tomatoes, mushrooms, and white or black pudding. For those wondering, black pudding coagulates the pig's blood into a sausage form. The white pudding is simply a pork sausage, usually flat.

How many days is Irish soda bread good for? ›

Tightly wrap your leftover bread and place it in an airtight container. There's no need to refrigerate. As for how long soda bread lasts: Irish soda bread tends to dry out faster than other breads. The bread will be good for 3-4 days or up to three months if frozen.

How to know when Irish soda bread is done baking? ›

Bake the for 40-45 minutes. You'll know it's done when the exterior is brown, craggy and split at the score, and the bread is well-risen. Tap your knuckles on the bottom, and if it sounds hollow, it's done.

How do you fix gummy bread? ›

During this experimentation window, you can try to save gummy loaves of bread by popping them back in the oven for a few minutes to cook some more. If the dough is too far gone and this does not work, however, it is best to simply toss out the bread to prevent illness or other issues that come with undercooked food.

How do you fix gummy bread dough? ›

Too much water can also produce a damp loaf. Try less water with your flour. Uneven heat in your oven can be the culprit – if you loaf is nicely golden on the outside but gummy or moist in the inside, it's baking too quickly on the outside. Trying reducing the temperature you're baking at and bake for a bit longer.

How do you prevent gummy bread? ›

Start by cooking your bread at the temperature prescribed in your preferred recipe, like the one mentioned in our no-knead rosemary bread recipe. Once finished, allow the bread to cool thoroughly and completely before cutting, as cutting too soon can also contribute to a gummy texture.

References

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