Irish Fruit Soda Bread
Irish Fruit Soda Bread is a moist, flavorful loaf packed with raisins, pineapple, and warm spices, perfect for breakfast, tea, or festive occasions, appealing to fruit and spice lovers.
Ingredients
- 2 cups brown sugar, packed ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz.) box seedless raisins ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz.) box golden raisins ⓘ
- 1 (No. 2) can crushed pineapple ⓘ
- 2 to 2 1/2 cups water ⓘ
- 3/4 cup margarine ⓘ
- dash of lemon juice ⓘ
- 1 small bottle maraschino cherries, drained ⓘ
- 4 oz. Irish whiskey ⓘ
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons soda ⓘ
- 3 teaspoons baking powder ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon mace ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 2 eggs, well beaten ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine brown sugar, seedless raisins, golden raisins, crushed pineapple, water, margarine, lemon juice, maraschino cherries, and Irish whiskey in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Cook for 10 minutes, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Cool the mixture.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, soda, baking powder, mace, cloves, and allspice.
- Add the cooled raisin mixture and beaten eggs to the dry ingredients.
- Beat well until the batter is smooth.
- Pour the batter into a greased 10-inch tube pan or two loaf pans.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using dark brown sugar instead of light. If you prefer a lighter bread, substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. You can also replace the margarine with unsalted butter for a more traditional taste. To enhance the fruitiness, add dried cranberries or chopped nuts if desired.
Serving Suggestions
This Irish Fruit Soda Bread is delightful on its own or spread with a bit of butter. It pairs beautifully with tea or coffee for a cozy afternoon snack. You can also serve it alongside cheeses or charcuterie for a festive board, or enjoy it with a dollop of cream cheese for added richness.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, slice and warm in a toaster or oven until just heated through to maintain its texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Irish Fruit Soda Bread contains roughly 1244 calories, with 12g protein, 306g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (112% of the Daily Value), calcium (67% of the Daily Value), and iron (62% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 893mg per serving (39% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe without alcohol?
Absolutely! If you prefer to avoid alcohol, simply omit the Irish whiskey. You can replace it with additional water or add a splash of apple cider vinegar for a similar tangy flavor.
How do I know when the bread is done baking?
The bread is done when a knife or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If it’s still wet, bake for a few more minutes and check again. Additionally, the bread will have a golden-brown crust when fully baked.
Can I use different types of dried fruit?
Yes, feel free to experiment with different dried fruits! Dried apricots, figs, or even mixed dried fruit can add unique flavors. Just be sure to adjust the quantities based on your preference, keeping the overall ratio similar.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).