Irish Soda Bread Caraway (Printable)

A lightly sweetened bread featuring buttermilk tang and aromatic caraway seeds, ideal for hearty meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
04 - 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
05 - 2 tablespoons caraway seeds

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
07 - 1 large egg, lightly beaten
08 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

→ Optional Add-ins

09 - 3/4 cup raisins or currants

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and caraway seeds.
03 - If using raisins or currants, stir them into the dry mixture until evenly coated with flour.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, beaten egg, and melted butter until combined.
05 - Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour the wet mixture into the well.
06 - Mix gently with a wooden spoon or hands until a shaggy dough forms. Avoid overmixing to preserve texture.
07 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead just until it comes together, approximately 10–12 turns.
08 - Shape dough into a round loaf measuring 7–8 inches in diameter.
09 - Place loaf on the prepared baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to cut a deep X across the top of the loaf.
10 - Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden brown. The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
11 - Transfer to a wire rack and cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to ensure proper texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The aroma of caraway seeds baking will fill your entire home with warmth
  • Ready in under an hour with ingredients you probably already have
  • That perfect crisp crust giving way to a tender, slightly sweet interior
02 -
  • Overworking the dough makes it tough, so stop as soon as it comes together
  • The deep X cut is not decorative, it helps the bread bake evenly throughout
  • Wait for the hollow sound when tapping the bottom, that is your doneness indicator
03 -
  • Cold buttermilk can cause melted butter to solidify, so let both come to similar temperature
  • Use the sharpest knife you have for that X cut, it will expand beautifully as it bakes

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