St. Patrick’s Day is here and, traditionally, the holiday is celebrated with a warm slice of Irish soda bread — so let’s do it.
This classic dish has been around since the 1830s and is seen as a symbol of celebration for many Irish people.
This dish uses simple ingredients and does not require yeast unlike many typical bread recipes. Due to the lack of readily available ingredients, this easy bread dish was created with flour, baking soda and soured milk or buttermilk, which were easily accessible.
The chemical reaction from the buttermilk and baking soda gives this dish a unique texture and will be sure to warm you up this St. Patrick’s Day.
The original recipe simply includes flour, salt, baking soda and buttermilk, but many have since added to the recipe. Some incorporate raisins, sugar and butter to provide the bread with a sweeter flavor.
Today, I am going to show you the classic way to elevate this dish.
If you’d like to make this recipe for yourself, follow the steps below!
Recipe
- In a medium bowl, whisk together egg and buttermilk. Set aside.
- Add all the dry ingredients to a bowl and mix thoroughly. Add the butter and using your fingers, incorporate fully into the flour until you have little flaky bits.
- Add the raisins and mix.
- Slowly add the buttermilk, kneading as you go to form the dough.
- Continue adding the buttermilk mixture and kneading the dough.
- Sprinkle flour on a flat surface, add your dough and continue to knead until it is no longer sticking to your fingers.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.
- Add the dough to a greased baking dish, and add a slit on top.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes or until browned and fully cooked through.
- Serve warm with butter and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1-3/4 cups buttermilk, cold
- 1 large egg
- 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
