Name: Easy Irish Soda Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 1 + 1/2 cups (337.5 grams) of buttermilk - at room temperature; 3 whole eggs - at room temperature; 1 + 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract; 4 cups (480 grams) of all-purpose flour; 1 + 1/4 cups (251 grams) granulated sugar; 1 tsp. salt; 1 tsp. ground cinnamon; 1 tsp. baking soda; 1 tsp. baking powder; 1/2 cup (113 grams, 1 stick) unsalted butter - sliced into pieces; 1 + 1/2 cups (225 grams) raisins; 1/4 cup (40 grams) mini semi-sweet chocolate chips; with powdered sugar, for dusting

Jump to Recipe

Easy Irish Soda Bread is a quick bread that requires no yeast and no rising. It has a soft texture with a crunchy crust on the outside, a cross between a cake and bread. Each slice is filled with raisins and bits of chocolate giving this Irish soda bread a delightful flavor and subtle sweetness.

The Month of March…

We love the month of March. It’s the month when the weather begins to warm up and we see the first wonderful signs of spring. We also get to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, followed by St. Joseph’s Day (on the 19th) with delicious treats.

Today, we’re excited to share this Easy Irish Soda Bread recipe which was inspired and adapted from allrecipes. It is not only light and deliciously not-too-sweet tasting, but the chocolate bits make it extra special.

For more delicious holiday treats, try our St. Patrick’s Day Green Chocolate Bark, and Italian Cream Puffs for St. Joseph. And we can’t forget to make our fun boozy frozen grasshopper.

Easy Recipe for Irish Soda Bread

This recipe will make 2 loaves of Irish Soda Bread and bake in less than an hour.

Best of all? There’s no downtime, no kneading, and no waiting to rise. Just blend all the ingredients with a good whisk, then divide the batter into 2 baking pans, and bake!

It’s that easy!

A fully baked Irish soda Bread resting on wood board.

How to Make Easy Irish Soda Bread

This recipe for Irish soda bread dough comes together in about 10 minutes. Just mix the ingredients into a soft dough, set them into 2 baking pans and bake. Plus, you will need buttermilk, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla extract, flour, sugar, baking soda and powder, salt, butter, raisins, and mini chocolate chips.

Ingredients Needed For Easy Irish Soda Bread

Below are the following ingredients (with few affiliate links). Also, all our recipes include US customary measurements, and for convenience. Use this chard to convert measurements for common ingredients!

1 + 1/2 cups (337.5 grams) of buttermilk – at room temperature
3 whole eggs – at room temperature
1 + 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups (480 grams) of unbleached all-purpose flour
1 + 1/4 cups (251 grams) granulated sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup (113 grams, 1 stick) unsalted butter – sliced into pieces
1 + 1/2 cups (225 grams) raisins
1/4 cup (40 grams) mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
with powdered sugar, for dusting

Easy Step-by-Step Directions To Follow:

Our full printable recipe card is located at the bottom. But first, let’s go through our steps so you can understand what’s involved before you start.

1. First Step, in a small mixing bowl, whisk all the liquid ingredients: buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract.

All the ingredients are laid out on the counter. And a white mixing bowl whisking the liquid.

2. Second, blend all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Then cut the butter into the flour, the same way we do when we make a pie crust or make our blackberry lemon crumble bars. You can do this with either a fork, your hands, or with a pastry cutter.

QUICK NOTE: I prefer to use my hands and get the butter evenly incorporated into the flour, making the flour very soft and crumbly.

3. Next, stir in the raisins and mini chocolate chips.

Dry ingredients in a silver bowl and liquid poured into the mixing bowl.

4. Then gradually pour the liquid into the large mixing bowl and whisk until all the dry ingredients are well incorporated.

HELPFUL TIP! It is best to switch over from a whisk to a large wooden spoon when the mixture becomes too heavy to whisk any further. Plus, the dough will be very soft, sticky, and pliable.

5. Spoon and divide the mixture into two round baking pans. Spoon the mixture into the center of the pans. Do not spread it.

6. Bake until the crust is brown and when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Slice and enjoy! Yields: 16 to 24 servings

The raw dough is placed into a round baking pan. Plus, the other is fully baked.

Baking Tips for Success…

Gather and check your ingredients! Be sure your baking soda and baking powder have not expired. If they are, you will need to replace them with fresh ones.
No need for any fancy equipment, just a whisk and a large wooden spoon will do.
It is important to whisk the “egg mixture into the flour mixture” as best as you can. Then use a large wooden spoon to help you finish incorporating the flour into the dough.
The dough will be very thick and sticky.
Keep in mind, we used two 8-inch baking pans. If you have different size pans (larger or smaller) the height of these breads will vary.
As always, all ovens vary. It is best to check on the breads with a toothpick. And when a toothpick is inserted in the center and comes out clean.
Allow them to cool completely, then dust on top with powdered sugar, but this is optional.

Storing and Freezing…

Our easy Irish bread will stay fresh for up to 3 to 4 days if you store it tightly wrapped with clear wrap or in a zip-lock plastic bag, or an air-tight container.
It freezes well for up to 1 month.

More Quick Bread Recipes You’ll Love!

We love making quick breads all year long, and freezing them. Try any of these recipes for something a little different.

Decadent Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Apple Cinnamon Bread
Best Zucchini Bread
Lemon Zucchini Olive Oil Bread

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Easy Irish Soda Bread

Yield: 2 loaves of bread

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Easy Irish Soda Bread is a delicious bread that's incredibly simple and bakes in less than an hour. It's a cross between a cake and bread. Each slice is filled with a flavorful combination of raisins and bits of chocolate throughout, making this Irish soda bread a terrific treat!

Ingredients

1 + 1/2 cups (337.5 grams) of buttermilk - at room temperature
3 whole eggs - at room temperature
1 + 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups (480 grams) of all-purpose flour
1 + 1/4 cups (251 grams) granulated sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup (113 grams, 1 stick) unsalted butter - sliced into pieces
1 + 1/2 cups (225 grams) raisins
1/4 cup (40 grams) mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
with powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177C). Rearrange your racks in the oven to make sure there is one in the center.
Lightly spray two 8-inch round baking pans with cooking spray and dust them with some flour, and set them aside.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and three eggs. Set aside.
Next, in a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, baking soda, and baking powder.
Cut the butter into pieces and with a pastry cutter or with your hands work the butter into the flour mixture until the flour is nice and crumbly soft.
Stir in the raisins and mini chocolate chips and blend to combine.
Slowly pour the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture and whisk as you work to combine it all. Then use a large wooden spoon to help blend it evenly. The dough mixture will be very soft and sticky.
Divide the batter evenly into the two prepared round baking pans. Do not spread it. The bread will rise as it bakes. Place both pans on the center rack in your preheated oven.
BAKE for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the loaves of bread to cool in their pans for 10 minutes. Then remove from pans, and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Dust with powdered sugar on top.
yields: 2 loaves

Notes

Storing and Freezing:

This bread will stay fresh for up to 3 to 4 days if you store it tightly wrapped with clear wrap or in a zip-lock plastic bag, or in an air-tight container.
It freezes well, and for up to 1 month.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 20 servings Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 231Total Fat: 6.4gSaturated Fat: 3..7gTrans Fat: 3.7gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 244mgCarbohydrates: 40.2gFiber: 1.7gSugar: 18gProtein: 4.6g

Have a Delicious Day!

Thanks for stopping by…

xo anna and liz

Welcome! From Anna and Liz

We believe the kitchen is the center and the heart of the home. It is where we cook, eat, and unwind with family and friends, creating memorable traditions! Read more…

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