Quick Irish Soda Bread
A quick, hearty Irish soda bread featuring raisins and caraway seeds, perfect for a comforting breakfast or snack, suitable for those seeking a simple, flavorful bread.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- With a knife, cut shortening into biscuit mix until like coarse cornmeal.
- Stir in sugar, raisins, and caraway seed.
- With a fork, stir in milk until blended well.
- Pour into a greased 9-inch pie plate and spread smooth.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For a flakier texture, consider substituting half of the shortening with cold butter. If you don’t have biscuit mix, you can make your own using flour, baking powder, and salt. Adding a bit of citrus zest can brighten the flavor. For a twist, try swapping out the raisins for dried cranberries or chopped nuts.
Serving Suggestions
This quick Irish soda bread is perfect served warm with a pat of butter or alongside a hearty soup or stew. It pairs beautifully with Yuletide Scrambled Eggs for a delightful breakfast. Consider serving it with a side of jam or honey for a sweet treat, or enjoy it as a base for savory toppings.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover soda bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep it fresh longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. When reheating, wrap slices in foil and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or toast them for a crispy texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Quick Irish Soda Bread contains roughly 251 calories, with 6g protein, 44g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (32% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (31% of the Daily Value), and iron (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and protein. It also contributes 9g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 use whole wheat flour instead of biscuit mix?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour, but you will need to add baking powder and salt to mimic the leavening in the biscuit mix. Use about 2 cups of whole wheat flour with 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Can I make this bread ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and shape it, then cover it tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before placing it in the oven.
What can I do if I don't have caraway seeds?
If you don’t have caraway seeds, you can omit them or replace them with an equal amount of dill seeds or fennel seeds for a different flavor profile. Alternatively, adding a pinch of cumin can provide an interesting twist.
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).