Classic Cast Iron Skillet Irish Soda Bread
Enjoy the rich tradition of Irish soda bread with this quick and simple recipe, perfectly baked in a cast iron skillet. This bread is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, slathered with creamy butter and your favorite jam. Whether served alongside a hearty stew or a comforting soup, it’s a delightful addition to any meal. Adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding extra sugar, but rest assured that the basic recipe is already a crowd-pleaser. Since soda bread rises exceptionally high, expect a beautiful loaf that’s both crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. But remember, the joy of baking lies in the taste, and this bread does not disappoint!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
unbleached flour
2 cups (measured)
sugar
1/4 cup (measured)
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (measured)
baking powder
1/2 tablespoon (measured)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (measured)
butter
1/4 cup (softened to room temperature)
caraway seed
1 teaspoon (slightly crushed)
currants
1/4 cup (measured)
buttermilk
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (measured)
egg
1 (lightly whisked)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) and place a 10-inch UNGREASED cast iron skillet inside to heat up.
2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the unbleached flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
3
Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the softened butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4
Gently fold in the crushed caraway seeds and currants until evenly distributed.
5
Add the buttermilk (1/2 cup) and the lightly whisked egg to the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined; be careful not to over-mix.
6
Transfer the sticky dough to a floured cutting board. With floured hands, knead the dough gently a few times until you can shape it into a disc.
7
Remove the hot skillet from the oven using caution, and lightly grease the bottom and sides with butter. Place the shaped dough ball in the skillet.
8
If desired, make a deep 'X' cut into the top of the dough using a toothpick or a sharp knife. This allows the bread to rise evenly.
9
Brush the top of the loaf with the remaining buttermilk before placing it in the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
10
Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving warm.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to bake Irish Soda Bread?
This recipe uses a preheated 10-inch cast iron skillet to achieve a crusty exterior and soft interior.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
Do I need to grease the skillet before putting it in the oven?
No, place the 10-inch cast iron skillet inside the oven ungreased while it preheats.
Which dry ingredients are used in this bread?
The dry ingredients include 2 cups of unbleached flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 tablespoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
How should the butter be incorporated into the flour?
Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut softened butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
How do I prepare the caraway seeds for the recipe?
The caraway seeds should be slightly crushed before being folded into the mixture.
Are there any fruits in this Irish Soda Bread?
Yes, 1/4 cup of currants is folded into the dough until evenly distributed.
What liquid ingredients are required for the dough?
You will need 1/2 cup of buttermilk and one lightly whisked egg for the main dough mixture.
What is the secret to a good dough consistency?
Stir the ingredients just until combined and be very careful not to over-mix the sticky dough.
How do I handle the sticky dough?
Transfer it to a floured cutting board and use floured hands to gently knead it a few times into a disc.
When should I grease the cast iron skillet?
Remove the hot skillet from the oven carefully and then lightly grease the bottom and sides with butter before adding the dough.
Why do you cut an 'X' into the top of the bread?
Making a deep 'X' cut allows the bread to rise evenly during the baking process.
What should I use to make the 'X' cut?
You can use a toothpick or a sharp knife to score the top of the dough.
Is there a glaze or wash used on the crust?
Yes, brush the top of the loaf with the remaining 2 tablespoons of buttermilk before baking.
How long does the bread need to bake?
Bake the bread for 35-40 minutes until it is golden brown.
How can I tell if the soda bread is fully cooked?
The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Should I serve the bread hot or cold?
It is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven and served warm.
What are the recommended toppings for this bread?
It is delicious when slathered with creamy butter and your favorite jam.
What meals pair well with Irish Soda Bread?
This bread is a perfect side for hearty stews or comforting soups.
Can I adjust the sweetness of the bread?
Yes, you can add extra sugar if you prefer a sweeter loaf, though the basic recipe is already a crowd-pleaser.
Why does the bread rise so much?
The combination of baking soda, baking powder, and buttermilk causes the bread to rise exceptionally high.
What type of flour is best for this recipe?
This recipe specifically calls for unbleached flour.
How much butter is used inside the dough?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of butter, softened to room temperature, cut into the flour mixture.
Do I need a special tool to mix the dough?
A whisk is used for dry ingredients, and a pastry blender or your fingers are used for the butter.
Is this a yeast bread?
No, this is a 'quick bread' that uses baking soda and baking powder as leavening agents instead of yeast.
What size cast iron skillet is needed?
A 10-inch cast iron skillet is the recommended size for this loaf.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
How much caraway seed is included?
1 teaspoon of slightly crushed caraway seeds is used.
Can I knead the dough in a mixer?
It is recommended to knead gently by hand on a floured board to avoid over-working the dough.
How should the egg be prepared?
The egg should be lightly whisked before being added to the dry ingredients.