Several years ago when I realized how easy Irish Soda Bread is to make, I decided to include it with our traditional St. Patrick's Day Corned Beef and Cabbage meal. No rising, very little kneading, and a bread made in one mixing bowl! 
Seemed easy enough to me and something I could get done during my busy day. Of course it was easy because I used an Ina Garten recipe. Ina is my favorite chef and my go-to when I want to try something new. Now I bake this bread from time to time and don't just save it for the Irish holiday.
We like this slightly sweet and classic quick bread fresh out of the oven, and if you have any leftovers, toasted with butter for breakfast the next morning is delicious! Enjoy!
Irish Soda Bread
This easy loaf of delicious bread needs no rising or kneading. Perfect recipe for the cook who thinks they cannot make bread. Try it!Recipe adapted from Ina Garten.
Servings: 1 loaf
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1 Tablespoon for currants
- 4 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 4 Tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk, cold and shaken
- 1 extra-large egg
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1 cup dried currants
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Cover a baking sheet with either parchment paper or a baking mat.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer add the flour, sugar, baking soda, and the salt. Use the paddle attachment for mixing.
- On a low speed, mix the butter into the flour mixture.
- Separately, in a smaller bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg and the orange zest. Lightly mix with a fork until just barely combined.
- Slowly add this egg and buttermilk mixture to the mixer bowl of flour and butter. Mix slowly until just combined.
- In a small bowl, toss the currants in 1 Tablespoon of flour (this keeps the currants from sticking together and then add them to the dough mixture). Toss in the currants and combine with the dough.
- Put a good amount of flour onto a cutting board or your counter. Scrape the dough from the bowl onto the floured surface (the dough will feel wet).
- Rub flour on your hands and then knead the dough only a few times. Form into a round loaf.
- With the tip of a sharp knife, lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a knife (history tells us that this was done to ward off evil and protect the household).
- Place on prepared baking sheet and bake for 45 to 55 minutes.
- Using the toothpick test, test the bread to make sure the bread is done. The toothpick should come out of the bread clean.
- Try to let it cool a bit before you dig in!
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