Easy 5 Ingredient Irish Soda Bread

By The Modern Nonna

on Mar 16, 2023, Updated Jul 07, 2023

4.75 from 4 votes
Jump to RecipeRate Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This easy 5 ingredient Irish soda bread is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day and beyond! I hope you get the chance to make one of the simplest, most comforting breads. This bread only takes 10 minutes to whip up and everything comes together in one bowl. The addition of raisins makes this bread sort of like a giant scone, and adds flavor and interest to an otherwise blank slate. The caraway seeds here are optional; they add a nutty, bittersweet flavor with hints of licorice and citrus.

It’s a very quick bread that doesn’t require any kneading. It’s perfect when sliced, toasted, and slathered with butter! Happy St Paddy’s Day to all my Irish friends that celebrate and thank you for sharing your traditions with the world. Cheers⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Irish Soda Bread

This bread only takes 10 minutes to whip up and everything comes together in one bowl. It’s a very quick bread that doesn’t require any kneading. It’s perfect when sliced, toasted, and slathered with butter!
4.75 from 4 votes
Save Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Print Recipe
Servings: 1 loaf
Author: The Modern Nonna
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour , (451 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon salt , (7 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda , (5 grams)
  • 1 ¾ cups buttermilk , (416 ml)
  • 1 cup raisins , (120 grams)
  • caraway seeds (optional)
  • 1 egg whisked with 1 tablespoon water

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 425F.
  • Sift in the flour into a large bowl. Add the salt, baking soda, buttermilk, raisins, and caraway seeds, if using.
  • Stir everything with a spoon or spatula and then switch over to mixing with your hands. The dough does not need to be kneaded, but mix it well until a nice tacky dough ball forms.
  • Place the dough ball on to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and flatten it until it is 1 to 2 inches in thickness. Score the top and optionally you can brush it with some egg wash to help achieve a golden crust.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 400F and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it as the timing will depend on the oven. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

You can make your own buttermilk with 2 cups of whole milk + 4 tablespoons lemon juice. Stir the milk gently with the lemon juice and let it sit and curdle for 5-10 minutes. The recipe requires just 1 and 3/4 cups. 
Be sure to level out the flour and baking soda with a knife so you don’t add too much.
You do not want to add more baking soda as you can really taste it if you overdo it.
I have not tried this recipe with a plant-based milk but let me know if you have.
This works with whole-wheat flour but it will be more dense or you can even make it with 1/2 all-purpose and 1/2 whole-wheat.
Caraway seeds are optional inside and so are oats on top.
Let it cool completely and wrap it nicely. It is perfect as is or toasted with butter on top.
Love This Recipe?
Share your pictures or videos of you making my recipes by mentioning #themodernnonna on all socials ❤️

Categorized as:
,

Hi! I'm Sneji. Nice to meet you!

I am more commonly known as “The Modern Nonna” on social media where I create easy home cooked meals with a modern twist. I was born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria and learned how to cook at the best culinary school in the world – my grandma’s kitchen. I lived in Greece on the Island of Crete with my parents for a while and then moved to Toronto, Canada when I was in grade 5. I started to really cook and experiment with food 11 years ago when I was 21 years old. Everything I currently know is a reflection of some part of my life…

More about me

Keep up to date with me on social media! Follow @themodernnonna

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




The maximum upload file size: 2 MB. You can upload: image, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made this Irish Soda Bread for St. Patrick’s Day and didn’t have buttermilk so I used regular milk with lemon like suggested. It worked like a charm. I didn’t have any raisins either so I used dryed cranberries. So good!

    Reply

  2. I made the bread using the same measurements except I had to add half a cup of all purpose flour to the almond flour I was using because the dough was a little sticky at the end. I curled almond milk with the recipe instructions and it worked , the milk was bubbly and sour, I also used cranberries instead of raisins because that’s what I had.
    I am not a baker and this recipe was sooooooo easy and very delicious. Thank you @themodernnonna✅

    Reply

    1. Thank you Love ! Sooo happy Almond Flour + All purpose flour worked together and Im happy the almond milk curdled just like regular milk !! Amazing improvisation ❤️❤️❤️

      Reply