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Traditional Irish Soda Bread with Orange Butter on a wire rack with a jar of honey, fresh oranges and a green pitcher in the background.
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Traditional Irish Soda Bread with Orange Butter
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
55 mins
 

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a warm hunk of Irish soda bread slathered with orange butter. This easy recipe is flavored with buttermilk and orange and pairs just as well with coffee or a pint! Cheers!

Course: Bread
Cuisine: Irish
Keyword: irish soda bread, soda bread
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 385 kcal
Author: Cathy Roma | What Should I Make For...
Ingredients
Irish Soda Bread
  • 3 1/2 cups AP 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
  • honey for serving (optional)
Instructions
Irish Soda Bread

  1. 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).

  2. In a large bowl stir together the flour, sugar, salt, soda and zest.
  3. Add in the buttermilk and stir until just combined.
  4. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and form into a round, no need to knead.

  5. Cut a cross in the center. I sometimes make mine a little deeper for a flatter, crustier bread. Make shallower cuts for a higher bread.

  6. Transfer to the prepared pan and brush with the melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.
  7. Cover and bake for 30 mins, remove the cover and continue to bake an additional 12-15 mins, or until golden brown.
  8. Cool slightly and serve warm with orange butter and honey.
Orange Butter

  1. 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.

Recipe Notes
  • Don't over-mix the dough, stir just until the buttermilk is absorbed and the dough hold together.
  • Gather and form the dough into a round on a lightly floured surface. Use a light touch to ensure a tender crumb.
  • Be sure the pan is well greased with butter.
  • Be sure to bake the bread in a baking dish with a tight-fitted lid. You'll uncover it at the end of baking to brown.
  • This bread is delicious cut into wedges served warm, with copious amounts of orange butter!
Nutrition Facts
Traditional Irish Soda Bread with Orange Butter
Amount Per Serving
Calories 385 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Cholesterol 45mg15%
Sodium 1100mg48%
Potassium 140mg4%
Carbohydrates 50g17%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 541IU11%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 81mg8%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.