Traditional Irish Soda Bread with Orange Butter
March 10, 2017 By Cathy — 45 CommentsCelebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a warm hunk of Irish soda bread slathered with orange butter. Pairs just as well with coffee or a pint! Cheers!
“I love bread!” No offense to Oprah, but I’m pretty sure she stole that from me. And it’s true, I think it would be physically, and even more so mentally impossible, for me to go carb free. Call it addiction or obsession. Bah, I call it love.
Here’s my dream food day:
Breakfast: A big hunk of toasted bread or a flaky biscuit, butter very liberally applied. Pair it with my own pot of strong coffee. Done.
Lunch: Warm, velvety bowl of soup, maybe a small salad and of course bread to dip in the soup. (And I’ll probably still be drinking that coffee even though it’s gone cold.)
Dinner: Bread, cheese, olives, charcuterie, some berries and big glass of wine (red, white or rosé depending on the season and/or mood).
So, the theme is glaringly obvious here (other than I never drink water)…every meal on my dream day is carb, and more specifically, bread-friendly. Now, of course that’s not a realistic meal plan for daily living, although I’m pretty sure I’ve had a couple of these days this winter. But yeah, normally if I go all toast in the am, then I try to ease up the rest of the day or vice versa. Moderation right?
Well, speaking of moderation, you better head somewhere else today if that’s what you’re after. I have once again teamed up with some fabulous food bloggers to bring you another virtual foodie party. And of course with St. Patrick’s Day only one week away (drum roll please) may I present our St. Patrick’s Day Feast (you can follow all the goodness on Instagram with this hashtag: #saintpatricksdayfeast2017)!
My contribution is a (mostly) traditional soda bread with orange butter. The only tweak from a traditional recipe is the addition of a little sugar and orange zest. I love the slightly citrus flavor the zest brings to the bread, but if you’re not super citrusy, feel free to omit. Oh, and by the way, DO NOT be intimidated because this is called bread. It only has 6 ingredients other than brush of butter and sprinkle of sugar over the top and is easier than biscuits, cookies or my 5th grader’s math homework (quite frankly a lot easier than his homework). The key is not to over-knead…actually I don’t really knead at all. I more or less gather the dough and form it into a ball, cut a criss-cross, cover (yes cover) and bake. There’s quick and easy video tutorial below just to prove I’m not pulling your chain.
Now enough about me…here’s a ridiculously tasty St. Patrick’s Day line-up complete with cocktails. Enjoy!
- Irish Soda Bread
- 3½ cups all purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 2 cups well-shaken buttermilk
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted (+ 1 Tbsp butter for greasing the pan)
- 2 tsp sugar
- Orange Butter
- 4 oz unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tsp orange zest
- 1 Tbsp orange juice
- 1 tsp orange liqueur
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- *additional honey for serving
- Irish Soda Bread: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and grease the bottom of a ceramic dutch oven (or a non-greased cast iron skillet if you prefer).
- In a large bowl stir together the flour, sugar, salt, soda and zest.
- Add in the buttermilk and stir until just combined.
- Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and form into a round, no need to knead.
- Cut a cross in the center. I make mine a little deeper for a flatter, crustier bread. Make shallower cuts for a higher bread.
- Transfer to the prepared pan and brush with the melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.
- Cover and bake for 30 mins, remove the cover and continue to bake an additional 12-15 mins, or until golden brown.
- Cool slightly and serve warm with orange butter and honey.
- Orange Butter: Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth and well blended. Alternatively, beat in a mixing bowl with an electric beater.
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Your diet sounds like my diet Cathy! Full of delicious bread! I’ve been trying to cut down, but I’ll totally make an exception for this yummy Irish Soda Bread! I love the citrus addition and that orange butter! I’d have a hard time enjoying just one piece!!
Thanks Mary Ann. Remembering that beautiful bread you brought when we met over the summer. Long live bread!
Oh, how I love bread too…..and butter!!!! Is anything more satisfying! So good! I agree with you – everything in moderation. I don’t like to deny myself any one food. Eat something indulgent here, eat something lighter there, ya know? This bread sounds amazing and that butter? Swoooooon. Just love that pic too with the honey dripping. Pinned! It’s been so much fun, once again, collaborating with you guys! Have a fantastic weekend, my friend 🙂
SO fun collaborating with you too Dawn. And absolutely…everything in moderation!
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Beautiful bread and the orange butter is just such a perfect addition! As a fellow carb lover, I will be adding this one to my baking list this week 🙂
Thanks Jennifer. We have such similar tastes!
I could eat bread all day long too, especially with cheese! Dreamy combo. This Irish soda bread looks to die for delicious when topped with orange butter and honey. Love it!
Definitely with cheese Karen. Yet another food I could never give up!
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No prettier words have ever been written… ‘warm hunk of Irish soda bread slathered with orange butter… Pairs well with coffee or a pint!’ Ahhh, you had my attention at word one! This bread would make Oprah very happy!! Well done, my friend!
Haha thanks Annie! Everything should pair well with coffee or a pint, or wine…right?!
I feel the same way about bread/carbs! I pray that I’ll never become a diabetic because I don’t think I could give up pastries. The bread looks so good. What a great breakfast idea 🙂
I could never give them up Giselle!! EVER!
I like your theme! A day without bread, just should not be, especially on those lucky days. I am in love with the orange butter. YUMMY!
Right Cindy? All hail bread!
I am so with you on your “dream day” and lots of bread! Oh how I love bread… I deprive myself of its deliciousness too often. Your Irish Soda Bread with Orange Butter is just so beautiful and delicious looking. It’s breaking down my will power!
Thanks Tamara. Every now and then we have to give in right?
I might try this! Your very Irish Aunt Mary would put currants in (and caraway seeds ON) but I like some orange zest in my baked things. Probably could do both!
I love caraway and currants in there too Tara. Definitely next time I bake one.
Ha! Ha! I thought Oprah stole that quote from you. Thanks for confirming my suspicions. As for the dream meal. . .I think we are dream meal twins except I would have to add pizza to the menu. . .because you know. . .more bread. And speaking of bread. Holy cow!!!! This bread looks completely & utterly irresisitble especially with that smear of orange butter on top. I think you are definitely going to need to hide this beauty from Oprah!!
OH MY! How in the world did I leave off pizza. You’re absolutely right Lynn. NOW, it’s a dream day.
I LOVE how crusty the top of this looks but how fluffy it is in the middle! You and me feel the same way about carbs, so I’m super happy that today isn’t about moderation! That soft and creamy slab of orange butter smeared on the bread is making me drool so much!
Yes!! The crusty top/tender middle is why I love it too Meg!
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Oh my not only is that bread looking like it could be my lunch, but that orange butter! Wow!
Thanks Kevin. Yep, that butter is favorite for sure!
I love Irish soda bread (my mom makes a mean one), and this twist looks absolutely delicious!!
Thanks Natasha. So many great variations!
OMG, that picture of the honey dripping over the buttered piece of bread… Yes, this is totally best paired with a pint:)
Thanks Milena! The orange butter/honey combo is a must for this bread!
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I am loving this soda bread!! The orange butter puts it over the top! Your photos are beautiful too!!
Thanks so much Stephanie!
Hahahahaha! I love bread too… and I’m pretty sure Oprah can’t make a claim to that statement. Isn’t she on a diet now? That means MORE bread for me! Lol. I kid. Anyways, you just CAN’T celebrate St. Patty’s without Irish Soda bread and yours looks absolutely DELICIOUS, Cathy! And that orange butter sounds like the perfect smear! Seriously, I could make a meal out of JUST this bread and butter. YUM! Pinned! Cheers, friend!
I’m with you Chey! Bread and butter could definitely be dinner for me too!
I’m coming over to spend a day with you eating all those carbs because that sounds heavenly! Please add this Irish soda bread with that yummy butter to the menu. I’ll bring the beer and wine! 🙂
It’s a date Rachelle!
This just sounds heavenly. And that orange butter – oh my goodness!!!
Thanks so much Tessa! I put that butter on everything!
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