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Classic Irish Soda Bread with Raisins and Caraway – Best Easy Recipe

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This classic Irish soda bread with raisins and caraway is incredibly quick, uses simple pantry ingredients, and is perfect for hosting. With a tender crumb, sweet bursts of raisins, and fragrant caraway seeds, it’s a crowd-pleaser that comes together in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (150g) raisins (golden or dark, or a mix)
  • 2 tablespoons caraway seeds
  • 1 3/4 cups (420ml) buttermilk (full-fat preferred)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place your baking sheet or cast iron skillet on the middle rack while it heats.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar until evenly distributed.
  3. Add the raisins and caraway seeds to the flour mixture and stir until every raisin and seed is coated in flour.
  4. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.
  5. Pour the buttermilk into the well.
  6. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined; the dough will look shaggy. Stop mixing as soon as no dry flour remains.
  7. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
  8. Knead very gently, 4 to 5 times, just until the dough comes together into a rough ball.
  9. Pat the dough into a round disk about 6 to 7 inches across and 2 inches tall.
  10. Carefully remove the preheated pan from the oven. Transfer the dough round onto the hot pan (use parchment if desired).
  11. Cut a deep cross (about 1/2 inch deep) into the top of the loaf using a sharp knife or bench scraper.
  12. Optionally, brush the top with a little extra buttermilk for a shiny crust.
  13. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until deep golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Internal temperature should reach about 200°F (93°C).
  14. Transfer the bread to a wire rack and cool completely (at least 30 minutes) before slicing.

Notes

Don’t overwork the dough—knead only 4 to 5 times. Use cold buttermilk to slow the reaction. Toast caraway seeds in a dry pan for 30 seconds to intensify flavor. Check baking soda freshness by dropping a pinch into vinegar; it should fizz vigorously. Let the bread cool completely before slicing to avoid a gummy texture. Day-old bread makes excellent toast.

Nutrition

Keywords: Irish soda bread, soda bread with raisins, caraway seed bread, quick bread, no yeast bread, St. Patrick's Day bread, easy bread recipe

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/classic-irish-soda-bread-with-raisins-and-caraway-best-easy-recipe/