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Cozy Irish Soda Bread with Raisins and Caraway

irish soda bread - featured image

A quick and easy Irish soda bread featuring sweet raisins and aromatic toasted caraway seeds, perfect for cozy mornings or alongside hearty soups.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (480 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 ¾ cups (420 ml) buttermilk (full-fat preferred; can substitute with milk plus 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice)
  • ¾ cup (110 g) raisins (soaked in warm water for 10 minutes and drained)
  • 1 tablespoon caraway seeds (lightly toasted)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (optional, for brushing on top)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a round cake pan.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar until evenly combined.
  3. Soak the raisins in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain well. Toast the caraway seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  4. Add the soaked raisins and toasted caraway seeds to the dry ingredients and toss to distribute evenly.
  5. Pour the buttermilk into the dry mixture. Stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until the dough just comes together. The dough will be sticky; avoid overmixing.
  6. Lightly flour your hands and turn the dough onto a floured surface. Shape it into a round loaf about 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter and 2 inches (5 cm) tall.
  7. Place the loaf on the prepared baking sheet or pan. Using a sharp knife, cut a deep ‘X’ about ½ inch (1.3 cm) deep across the top.
  8. Optionally, brush the top gently with melted unsalted butter for a softer crust and richer flavor.
  9. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  10. Transfer the bread to a cooling rack and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Do not overmix the dough to avoid a tough bread. Soak raisins to keep them plump and prevent dryness. Lightly toast caraway seeds to enhance flavor. Score the loaf deeply to help it rise evenly. Let the bread cool completely before slicing to avoid gummy texture. For a softer crust, brush with melted butter before baking or cover loosely with foil halfway through baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: Irish soda bread, raisins, caraway seeds, quick bread, no yeast bread, homemade bread, cozy bread, easy bread recipe