Irish Soda Bread with Caraway Seeds
A quick and easy traditional Irish soda bread recipe featuring fragrant caraway seeds for a distinctive licorice-like flavor. Perfect for cozy kitchens and any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (480 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons caraway seeds
- 1 ¾ cups (415 ml) buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Optional: 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place your cast iron skillet or baking sheet inside to heat up.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and caraway seeds. Add sugar if using and mix evenly.
- Pour in buttermilk and melted butter. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until the dough just comes together; it will be sticky and shaggy.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and quickly shape into a round. Add a little flour if too wet, but do not overwork.
- Place the dough onto parchment paper or directly into the hot skillet. Score a deep cross about ½ inch (1 cm) into the top with a sharp knife.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and firm. Test doneness by tapping the bottom; it should sound hollow.
- Cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing to allow the crumb to set.
Notes
Preheat the pan to ensure a crispy crust. Handle the dough gently to avoid tough bread. Use fresh baking soda for best rise. Score the dough deeply for even baking and traditional appearance. Let the bread cool before slicing to set the crumb.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of t
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Protein: 5
Keywords: Irish soda bread, caraway seeds, quick bread, traditional Irish recipe, no yeast bread, easy bread recipe