Irish Soda Bread 3 Ways

This delicious Irish soda bread can be made three different ways! I give you a traditional, sweet and savory version, but the possibilities are endless. It makes for the perfect side for your St. Patrick’s Day dinner.

This easy Irish soda bread is only a few ingredients and can be made in a variety of different flavors. 

Irish soda bread reminds me of my childhood. We used to have it every St. Patrick’s Day with Corned Beef and Braised Cabbage. It was my favorite part of the meal.

The best part about this easy Irish soda bread is you can make it so many ways. Make it the traditional way with raisins or make a sweeter version with cranberries and orange zest. Lastly, don’t forget about a savory version that is studded with white cheddar cheese and fresh rosemary.

The white cheddar and rosemary version goes amazingly with a good Irish beef stew. The cranberry version is perfect to serve as a dessert! And the traditional version is perfect with whatever you serve on St. Patrick’s Day.

Serve warm with some softened butter and you have the best side dish for your St. Patrick’s Day spread.

What is Irish Soda Bread:

Irish soda bread is quick bread. It is leavened with baking soda and buttermilk as opposed to a yeast bread.

Traditionally it is made by combining dry ingredients with buttermilk. The buttermilk interacts with the baking soda and helps to leaven the bread.

Ingredients:

There are only a few basic ingredients needed for this recipe. You will need:

• all purpose flour
• baking soda
• baking powder
• salt
• sugar
• buttermilk
• raisins

Traditional Irish soda bread also included caraway seeds. For our three different varieties you will also need the following ingredients:

• white cheddar
• rosemary
• dried cranberries
• orange zest

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

If you do not have buttermilk on hand you can make your own. To make your own buttermilk combine 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.

Then use as directed.

How To Make Irish Soda Bread:

This recipe is so easy to make. Here is a breakdown of how to make this easy bread.

• First add your flour to a large bowl.
• Next add your baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar.
• Add the different ingredients depending on what version you would like to make.
• Next add about a cup of buttermilk to the flour mixture and stir to combine. I like to use my hands to form a cohesive ball.
• The dough should be slightly sticky and come together into one mass.
• Place the soda bread on a parchment lined baking sheet or in a cast iron skillet. Cut an “x” on top of the bread with a sharp knife.
• Brush with buttermilk and sprinkle with raw sugar (for sweeter versions).
• Lastly, bake the bread in the oven until lightly golden brown.
• Serve at room temperature with softened butter.

Ways To Make Irish Soda Bread:

Have some fun with this recipe and make this bread in little muffin instead.

Place 1/4 cup of the bread dough into muffin tins lined with paper liners.

Then bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. 

Other Delicious St. Patrick’s Day Recipes:

To round out your St. Patrick’s Day try these other delicious recipes. 

Instant Pot Corned Beef And Braised Cabbage

 Leprechaun Bait Bark Recipe

How To Make A Shamrock Shake 

Mint Scotchmallow Candy Recipe (Sees Candy Copycat)

Rainbow Green Smoothie

Rainbow Fruit Tart Recipe For Kids

This really is a great recipe to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. And it’s such an easy and quick recipe to make.

Irish Soda Bread Recipe:

Yield: Serves 6

Irish Soda Bread 3 Ways

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Try this Irish soda bread three different ways!

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Ingredients

Traditional:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 2/3 cup buttermilk

Cranberry Orange:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• zest of 1 orange
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup buttermilk + more to brush on top
• 1 tablespoon raw sugar

White Cheddar Rosemary:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon rosemary, finely chopped
• 2/3 cup buttermilk

Instructions

Traditional:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
2. Add the flour to a mixing bowl.
3. Then add baking powder, baking soda and salt.
4. Add the raisins and stir to combine.
5. Add the sugar.
6. Stir in buttermilk and then mix with your hands to make a cohesive dough.
7. Form the dough into a circle on a parchment lined baking sheet.
8. Cut an "X" on the top of the dough.
9. Brush with buttermilk on top and sprinkle with raw sugar.
10. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes


Cranberry Orange:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
2. Add the flour to a mixing bowl.
3. Then baking powder, baking soda and salt.
4. Add the cranberries and orange zest and stir to combine.
5. Add the sugar.
6. Stir in buttermilk and then mix with your hands to make a cohesive dough.
7. Form the dough into a circle on a parchment lined baking sheet.
8. Cut an "X" on the top of the dough.
9. Brush with buttermilk on top and sprinkle with raw sugar.
10. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes.


White Cheddar Rosemary:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
2. Add the flour to a mixing bowl.
3. Then add the sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
4. Add the cheddar cheese and rosemary and stir to combine.
5. Stir in buttermilk and then mix with your hands to make a cohesive dough.
6. Form the dough into a circle on a parchment lined baking sheet.
7. Cut an "X" on the top of the dough and bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes.