Cozy Irish Soda Bread with Currants: Best Easy Recipe
This cozy Irish soda bread with currants is the ultimate comfort food—simple, soul-soothing, and made with love. It’s a quick and easy bread that delivers a tender crumb with bursts of sweetness from currants, perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (120g) whole wheat flour
- 3 tablespoons (36g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 4 tablespoons (57g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup (140g) dried currants
- 1 3/4 cups (420ml) buttermilk
- 1 large egg (for egg wash, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or two forks until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces.
- Stir in the dried currants until evenly coated.
- Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until a shaggy, sticky dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. With floured hands, gently shape it into a round loaf, handling as little as possible.
- Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross (X) about 1/2 inch deep into the top.
- If desired, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water and brush over the top for a glossy crust.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, until deep golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Internal temperature should reach about 190°F (88°C).
- Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing (at least 30 minutes).
Notes
Don’t overwork the dough—mix just until combined for a tender crumb. Use cold ingredients for best results. Measure flour correctly by spooning into the cup and leveling off. Check that your baking soda is fresh. Let the bread cool completely before slicing to avoid a gummy texture. Leftovers are excellent toasted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 37
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
Keywords: Irish soda bread, soda bread with currants, easy bread recipe, quick bread, comfort food, Irish recipe, homemade bread