There’s something about Saturdays that feels a little softer. The pace of the week finally slows, sunlight peeks through the kitchen window, and I can linger a little longer over a warm cup of tea. And if you peek into my kitchen on a Saturday morning, you’ll most likely find a loaf of Irish Soda Bread cooling on the counter.
This bread has been a favorite of mine for years—simple to make, but it tastes like something special. It’s tender, just sweet enough, with bursts of raisins in every bite. The smell that fills the house while it bakes is reason enough to keep this recipe on repeat, but the real magic is in that first slice, still warm, butter.• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons
I love how easy it is to mix together—no yeast, no long waits. Just flour, sugar, butter, raisins, buttermilk, and a few pantry staples come together to make something that feels like a little celebration. It’s the kind of bread you can whip up on a whim when friends stop by, or when you simply want to treat yourself to a cozy morning.
For me, this loaf is more than a recipe. It’s part of the rhythm of my Saturdays. I imagine my Irish grandmothers watching over me as I mix it…remembering to splice a cross into the dough to “let the fairies out”. The sound of the oven timer, the golden crust cracking as I slice into it, and the way it pairs perfectly with slow mornings and second cups of tea.
If you’ve never tried Irish Soda Bread, this might be your sign. It’s hearty enough to stand alone, but also lovely with a drizzle of honey, a little jam, or even alongside eggs and bacon. And don’t be surprised if it becomes your weekend tradition too.
Because sometimes the best breakfasts are the simplest—made with love, shared with family, and savored one warm slice at a time.
• 1
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups flour
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- Dash of salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 1/2 cups raisins
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup raw sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
- Cut in the softened butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the raisins.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, heavy cream, and egg.
- Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The dough will be sticky.
- Transfer the dough into a greased or parchment-lined baking pan (traditionally a round pan). Sprinkle top with raw sugar.
- Bake at 350°F for 60–75 minutes, or until a toothpick/wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out mostly dry.
- Allow to cool before slicing. Best served warm with butter. will be sticky.
7. Transfer the dough into a greased or pa pan (
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