My Grandma’s Irish Soda Bread

by Michele Pesula Kuegler | March 14th, 2024 | Breads, Recipes
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A simple to make, fool-proof bread recipe that is the perfect (and necessary) accompaniment for a St. Patrick’s Day dinner.

A simple to make, fool-proof bread recipe that is the perfect (and necessary) accompaniment for a St. Patrick's Day dinner.

Almost every year I have made a homemade St. Patrick’s Day dinner. For me the highlight of this meal is my grandma’s Irish soda bread. It’s dense, yet tender, and has this really great flavor from a dough so simple. It’s one of those dishes that makes the holiday meal feel complete.

From the wayback time machine

To learn more about this recipe, originally published in March 2009, keep reading.

I have some Irish ancestry, thanks to my grandma.  However, I only cook Irish foods one day a year, St. Patrick’s Day. When I make that dinner, though, everything is homemade.  I serve corned beef, potatoes, carrots, and cabbage with malt vinegar on the side.  Of course, Irish Soda Bread is part of the menu.

The recipe that I use is my grandma’s.  The only difference is that I don’t add raisins.  The appearance of dried fruit in the bread would make it unappealing to many of my family members.  Also, according to family history, grandma and her sister differed in how to make Irish Soda Bread.  Grandma never added caraway seeds, which works for my family also, but her sister did. Apparently, it was a longtime family rivalry.

A note on making this recipe

I always bake it on the afternoon of our St. Pat’s dinner, so that it is still warm when dinner is served.  If you don’t work from home, that can be tricky. This bread tastes just as fine when cooled, but if you’re able to bake it so that it’s served warm, it will be worth it.

Topped with some butter, it is a once a year treat.  I guess I could make it more frequently, but having it only once a year makes it even more appreciated.  As the last slice of this year’s loaf was eaten today, it will be another 51 weeks before we enjoy it again.

If you want an easy side dish to go with this Irish dinner, be sure to try Crockpot Cabbage and Apples.

A simple to make, fool-proof bread recipe that is the perfect (and necessary) accompaniment for a St. Patrick's Day dinner.

Grandma’s Irish Soda Bread

Michele Pesula Kuegler

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Course Side Dish

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1-1/2 cups buttermilk

Instructions

 

  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Grease 2 quart round baking dish.
  • Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
  • In a small bowl, combine butter, eggs, and milk.
  • Add liquid ingredients to flour mixture, and mix well.
  • Place dough in greased baking dish, and place in oven.
  • Bake for approximately 1-1/2 hours or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the comes out clean.

Keyword Irish soda bread
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3 Comments
  1. […] To try my family’s recipe and add it to your collection of holiday recipes, visit our sister site, Tasty Thoughts. […]

  2. […] and cookies are always a great option, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Try Irish soda bread or toffee shortbread, both of which are authentic Irish recipes. These recipes are fairly easy to […]

  3. […] the same group of people for the last six years: corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and my grandmother’s Irish Soda Bread.  The only item I have changed is the adults only beverage, the Minty McFreeze, which is a recipe […]

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