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irish soda bread for one

Traditional Irish Soda Bread for One

Delicious Traditional Irish Soda Bread for One recipe with step-by-step instructions.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 slices
Calories: 425
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a small baking sheet or cast iron skillet (about 6-8 inches). While the oven heats, place the raisins in a small bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for 5 minutes to plump up and soften—this adds moisture and sweetness to the bread. Drain the raisins thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which prevents them from sinking to the bottom of the loaf.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. I like to whisk these together rather than just stir because it helps distribute the baking soda evenly, which ensures the bread rises uniformly and has a tender crumb. This dry mixture is the foundation of your soda bread, so take a moment to fully combine everything.
  3. Create a well in the center of your dry mixture and pour in the buttermilk along with the sugar. Stir with a fork or wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms, then fold in the drained raisins. Don't overwork the dough at this stage—soda bread relies on just enough mixing to combine ingredients without developing gluten, which would make it tough rather than tender.
  4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 1-2 minutes, just until it comes together into a cohesive ball. Shape it into a round loaf about 4 inches in diameter and place it on your prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut a shallow X across the top of the loaf—this traditional scoring helps the bread expand evenly during baking and creates a nice rustic appearance. I find that scoring about 1/4 inch deep is the sweet spot for this size loaf.
  5. Bake in your preheated 375°F oven for 35-40 minutes, until the loaf is golden brown on the outside and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The bread should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Remove from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling time allows the crumb to set properly, making it easier to slice without the bread crumbling.