Let's Make Homemade Irish Soda Bread with Raisins
Traditional Irish Soda Bread with Raisins: A 6-Ingredient Delight
Irish soda bread, a cherished staple in Irish cuisine, is known for its simplicity and robust flavour. This traditional bread, distinguished by its use of baking soda as a leavening agent, can be prepared with just six ingredients and comes together in under an hour, making it a perfect choice for those who appreciate both efficiency and taste.
Ingredients and Preparation
To create this delightful soda bread, you will need the following ingredients:
1. Whole wheat flour
2. Unbleached white flour
3. Baking soda
4. Buttermilk
5. Salt
6. Raisins
The combination of whole wheat and unbleached white flour gives the bread its characteristic dense and hearty texture, which is both satisfying and nourishing. The buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to create the necessary rise, resulting in a bread that is not only quick to prepare but also wonderfully tender on the inside with a slightly crispy crust.
Method
1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Combine the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the whole wheat flour, unbleached white flour, baking soda, and salt. Ensure these ingredients are well blended to guarantee even distribution of the baking soda.
3. Add the raisins: Stir the raisins into the dry mixture. This not only sweetens the bread but also adds a delightful chewiness to each bite.
4. Incorporate the buttermilk: Gradually pour in the buttermilk, mixing gently until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread tough.
5. Shape the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it briefly, just enough to bring it together. Shape it into a round loaf.
6. Score the top: Place the loaf on the prepared baking sheet and use a sharp knife to score a cross on the top. This helps the bread to expand properly as it bakes.
7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Serving and Enjoyment
Once baked, allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing. This traditional Irish soda bread is best enjoyed fresh from the oven, slathered with butter, and perhaps a touch of jam. Its dense, hearty nature means it will fill you up quickly, making it an ideal accompaniment to soups and stews or a satisfying snack on its own.
In Ireland, soda bread is often referred to as brown bread, thanks to the use of whole wheat flour. This version with raisins adds a touch of sweetness that balances the bread's robust flavour. Despite its simplicity, this soda bread offers a rich, comforting taste that evokes the rustic charm of traditional Irish baking.
Such an authentic recipe but I would add that the whole wheat flour we use in Ireland is very different than the wholewheat flour used in the USA and, as someone living and baking in both countries, I know how different the bread is when baked in each place. You can buy the Irish coarse or extra course flour (soft wheat) in the USA online but that is expensive. Well worth it though, if your budget can do it! It can also be made with white flour only (with or without dried fruit) and that is especially baked for afternoon tea....sometimes with a tablespoon or two of sugar added.