Irish Soda Bread, A Must Make!
Since St. Patrick’s day is almost upon us, and I thought it would be appropriate to share with you my favorite recipe for Irish Soda bread that’s baked in a skillet. Because I love all things made in a skillet, why not bread? There’s nothing better than the aroma of freshly baked bread, it will make you kinder to your neighbors, it will even make your neighbors kinder to you! Just open a window and you’ll see what I’m talking about. I love my Irish soda bread recipe, it’s almost like a raisin bread because it’s slightly sweetened, and you can add other ingredients to it, like chocolate chip, raisins, or any seeds or nuts. I like to have this bread toasted and buttered for breakfast with a good cup of coffee in the morning. It’s perfection! Bread making seriously doesn’t get any easier! If you’re looking for a quick loaf of bread, requiring only a few ingredients, then this bread is for you.
Flour – All purpose flour works best. You can use gluten-free flour for this recipe as well. Sugar – Plain granulated. This is going to add a touch of sweetness. Salt – Salt is imperative when it comes to baking, don’t skip it! Baking Soda & Baking Powder – These will act as our leaveners and also give us a super tender bread. Raisins – Your choice! You can use other mix-ins like nuts or dried cranberries as well. Mix-ins – You can add various things to this bread, like chocolate chips, raisins, caraway seeds or other seeds, and your favorite nuts. Egg – I used large eggs. Eggs are actually optional in a soda bread, they add richness and density, so feel free to skip the eggs for a slightly lighter loaf. Buttermilk – You can make your own buttermilk with 1½ cup milk and 1½ tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar. Butter – Melted! I like to use unsalted butter so I have full control over the sodium. Margarine or lard can be used instead.
Irish soda bread is really easy to make because it requires no yeast. It gets its rise from baking soda, which is activated by the acidic buttermilk. The result is a dense and hearty bread with a crusty exterior and tender interior. This simple bread recipe comes together quickly so you need to preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) before you begin making the dough. Then spray a cast iron skillet with cooking spray and set it aside. Next, let’s get this easy dough started! To begin, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Next, stir in the chocolate chips. Then in a separate small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter. Now, pour the wet mixture into the large bowl with the flour mixture and stir everything together with a wooden spoon. After the dough comes together, dust your hands with a bit of flour and then knead the dough just until you can form a rough ball. You can knead the dough in the bowl or on a floured work surface. But be very careful not to over knead the dough. You just need it to form a ball that holds together. Now, it’s time to bake! First, place the ball of dough in the greased skillet. Next, score the top of the dough by slicing an X or a couple of lines about an inch deep into the dough with a sharp knife. This helps the center of the bread to bake more evenly. Then put the bread into the oven and let it bake for 45 minutes to an hour. When the Irish soda bread is done, it will golden brown and make a hollow sound when you tap on the bottom.
Storing Soda Bread
Irish soda bread can dry out quickly, so it is best to store it tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container to preserve it longer. You can store it like this for about 3 to 4 days.
Freezing
To avoid freezer-burn, wrap your loaf well with both plastic wrap and foil. You can pre-slice it before freezing to make thawing faster. Grab a slice or two as needed! It’ll last 3 months in the freezer. To thaw, leave it at room temperature for an hour or two. You can also use your microwave if it has a bread defrosting function.
More Great Recipes To Try
Irish Lamb StewNo Knead Skillet BreadIrish CoffeeIrish SconesRustic Fig GaletteRye Bread
