My step dad used to always brag about being The Real McCoy. I guess technically it was true since his last name was McCoy but he took it a bit far. He was always proud of his Irish heritage and incorporated Irish tradition into any occasion possible. You can only imagine how St. Patrick’s Day went down around our house. Irish Soda Bread was always a staple on St. Patrick’s Day as was Irish Coffee on New Years. He was the only father I knew so I try to continue these traditions with my family.
I was going through one of his old recipe boxes last week trying to plan out our St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and happened upon his Irish soda Bread recipe. He always took so much pride in making this traditional Irish bread so I wanted to do the same. I wanted to make something that would match his Irish Soda Bread in flavor but still be mine.
When my step dad made the Soda Bread he used a traditional recipe with only 4 ingredients. His recipe makes an amazing bread but I like a little more depth to mine. I added in a few tablespoons of sugar and some raisins to make a bread my entire family will enjoy. The sugar and raisins can be easily omitted for a more traditional Irish Soda Bread.
If you’re looking for something easy and tasty for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration this Irish Soda Bread is for you. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Have You Ever Made Traditional Irish Soda Bread
- 3 cups sifted flour (cake or pastry flour works best since they’re softer)
- 2 – 4 tbsp sugar (depending on how sweet you want it – or omit it all together)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup raisins (leave these out for a more traditional soda bread)
- 1⅓ cups buttermilk
- Mix the dry ingredients together well. Stir in the raisins and milk.
- Mix together to form a sticky dough.
- Turn out onto floured board and knead until smooth (8 – 10 times – don’t over knead.)
- Line a 9 inch cake pan with parchment paper and add the dough. Spread the dough out in the pan.
- Score the dough with a large “X” on the top.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 65 minutes.
- Carefully remove the bread from the oven. Serve with your Irish meal.