Name: Irish Soda Bread Without Raisins
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (315 grams); 2 tsps baking powder; 1 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp salt; 1 tbsp sugar; 4 tbsps butter, softened; 1 large egg; 1 cup buttermilk; 1 tbsp butter, melted

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This Irish Soda Bread Without Raisins is a quick bread made with baking soda and baking powder rather than yeast, and it omits raisins or currants. It is dense, moist, and buttery, and I have served it every year on St. Patrick’s Day for close to 20 years.

It is great on its own or with a little butter or jam spread on each slice.

A loaf of Irish Soda Bread on a cutting board.

When I serve this Irish Soda Bread on St. Patrick’s Day, the most common reaction I get is, “Oh this is so moist and good! This is the first Irish Soda Bread that I’ve had that isn’t dry.”

I designed this recipe to be dense, buttery, moist, and flavorful. I also don’t care for raisins in Irish Soda Bread, so I have omitted the raisins as well.

This Soda Bread is really easy to put together. Just mix a few ingredients in a bowl. Shape it into a round ball, and bake on a baking sheet. It's ready in about 40 minutes, start to finish.

🛒 Ingredients

Below are the ingredients needed to make Irish Soda Bread Without Raisins.

Flour: Use all-purpose, unbleached flour. Use a kitchen scale to weigh the flour if possible.
Baking powder and Baking Powder: The leavening agents for this recipe.
Salt: Brings out and enhances flavor.
Sugar: A small amount for a subtle sweetness.
Butter: Softened and added to the dough, and a small amount melted to brush the top of the loaf.
Egg: Use one large egg, pasture-raised if possible.
Buttermilk: Contributes to the signature taste of soda bread and aids in leavening, reacting with the baking soda.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

📝 How to Make Irish Soda Bread Without Raisins

Below are the step-by-step instructions and photos for how to make Irish Soda Bread Without Raisins.

*Note: The recipe card with instructions, ingredient list, and quantities is included further below these step-by-step photos.

The ingredients needed to make Irish Soda Bread Without Raisins combined in a bowl, and the Irish Soda Bread on a baking sheet before and after being baked in the oven.

Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 1. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Add the softened butter, egg, and buttermilk, and combine.

Step 2. Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a well floured counter or work surface. Add as little additional flour as possible and shape the dough into a round ball. You do not need to knead the dough. Gently pat the dough into a round ball shape.

Transfer the dough to a baking sheet. Brush with the melted butter. Then score an "X" on top of the bread.

Tip: It is important to not add too much flour. This relatively wet and tacky dough is what enables the bread to be moist and not dry when baked.

Step 3. Bake: Bake at 350°F for 30-34 minutes. The bread should be golden brown on the top and look set in the middle.

Tip: You can insert a toothpick in the center to see if it comes out clean. However, keep in mind that this bread forms a crust on the outside, and sometimes that crust wipes the toothpick clean when you remove it from the bread. A clean toothpick does not necessarily mean that it has fully baked.

🍽️ Serving Tips

Serve warm on its own, with a little butter, or spread with a little jam.
Serve this bread alongside the full St. Patrick's Day Dinner: Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes, and Carrots, which can be made into Corned Beef Hash the following day.
This bread can also be made as a loaf with this Soda Bread Loaf recipe.