Master This Classic (and Easy!) Yeast-Free Irish Soda Bread for St. Patrick's Day.

Parade
·3 min read

Irish soda bread

Rise of the yeast-free bread recipes! This classic Irish soda bread is one of the best examples of a no-yeast bread you can make with basic pantry ingredients. It's a classic recipe for St. Patrick's Day but it's so easy to make and comforting to easy, that you'll want to make it all year long. Just ask chef and food blogger John Kanell of Preppy Kitchen.

“I love this recipe for easy Irish Soda Bread because you can make a quick bread without yeast, that’s great for having with your morning cup," he says. "You can even use it to make peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a certain toddler who’s been craving raisin bread.”

Related: Easy Savory Bread Recipes

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What is Irish Soda Bread?

Irish soda bread is the traditional bread of Ireland. It's quick bread that traditionally rises without the use of yeast. This Irish comfort food is made in just minutes, which means you don't have to wait long to tear into the soft, densely-crumbed bread with a perfectly golden crusted exterior. Irish soda bread is a great accompaniment to any meal, and it's simply delicious spread with butter and jam.

Related: 52 Easy Irish Recipes

What does Irish Soda Bread Taste Like?

Another thing we love about this orange-infused Irish soda bread—besides the fact that it's super simple—is it has great aroma and depth of flavor. It's also filled with dried fruit and toasted pecans, although you could also sub pecans for any other nuts you have laying around.

Related: 21 Types of Bread You May Encounter If You Count Yourself Among Bread’s Biggest Fans

Ingredients You Need to Make Irish Soda Bread

For this recipe you will need:

  • Buttermilk

  • Egg

  • Orange zest

  • Flour

  • Granulated sugar

  • Baking soda

  • Kosher salt

  • Butter

  • Chopped pecans

  • Dried cranberries

  • Golden raisins

How to Make Easy Irish Soda Bread:

Ingredients

  • 1¾ cup buttermilk , cold

  • 1 egg

  • Zest from 1 orange

  • 4 cups flour

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

  • 1½ tsp baking soda

  • 1½ tsp kosher salt

  • 4 Tbsp butter , cold, diced

  • ½ cup chopped pecans , toasted

  • ½ cup dried cranberries 60g, dried

  • ½ cup golden raisins

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

  2. In a small bowl, combine cold buttermilk, 1 egg and zest from 1 orange. Give it quick whisk.

  3. In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Mix together.

  4. Add in diced butter. Mix for about 1 minute or until the butter has incorporated.

  5. Pour in the buttermilk mixture on low. Mix until just combined.

  6. In a bowl, toss the raisins and cranberries with bit of flour to coat.

  7. Add in pecans, raisins and cranberries. Stir for 5 seconds.

  8. Plop the very wet batter onto a floured surface. Give it a light kneading.

  9. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet.

  10. Score an ‘X’ on the surface.

  11. Bake for about 40 min until a skewer comes out clean.

Kitchen Counter

Serving: 28.4g | Calories: 85kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1.9g | Fat: 1.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 113mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.7mg