Irish Soda Bread Loaf with Raisins and Orange Zest
A cozy, soul-soothing Irish soda bread loaf featuring sweet raisins and bright orange zest, perfect for a quick and comforting treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (480g)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¾ cup raisins (110g)
- Zest of 1 medium orange
- 1¾ cups buttermilk (420ml) or 1¾ cups milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice/vinegar (let sit 5 minutes)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (45g)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment if not using cast iron.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- Stir in the raisins and orange zest.
- Add the buttermilk and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Mix gently with a wooden spoon until just combined. If dough is too wet, sprinkle in a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a round loaf about 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter. Avoid over-kneading.
- Place the loaf on the prepared baking sheet or skillet. Score a deep cross about ½ inch (1.25 cm) deep on top with a sharp knife.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown with a firm crust. Tap the bottom; it should sound hollow.
- Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Do not overmix the dough to avoid toughness. Use fresh baking soda for best rise. Score the loaf deeply to ensure even baking. Let the bread cool before slicing for better texture. For extra crustiness, bake on the lowest rack with a small oven-safe dish of water for the first 10 minutes to create steam.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10th of l
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 6
- Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Irish soda bread, soda bread loaf, raisin bread, orange zest bread, quick bread, no yeast bread, cozy bread, easy bread recipe