skillet irish soda bread
I’ve never made Irish soda bread before and eaten it almost as rarely, so I can’t offer a review with any authority, but what I loved about this article is neither could Clark. She was told by a friend married to an Irishman and living in his country that though her version was rich and lovely, it neither looked nor tasted like the real deal. Apparently, nobody in Ireland serves real soda bread anymore, she said, and even if they did, it would have no raisins, eggs, butter or caraway seeds. After trying a version faithful to the original and finding it delicious when warm, but hard, dry and bland when cold, Clark decided being authentic was overrated, and went back to her old formula.
I salute this, and considering that I’m not Irish, neither is my husband or the vast majority of the coworkers I will foist this upon today, I think that frees me to also choose a tasty bread that approaches my idea soda bread perfection over one that’s bona fide. I can tell this will be my go-to recipe; it’s both crusty and tender, and manages to lock in its moisture in a way that reminds me of a certain vaunted scone. Yup, we’re talking about that level of good.
And since we’ve already thrown authenticity the wind, I bet that the bread would be equally good with fennel seeds replacing the caraway ones, or replacing the raisins with any kind of dried fruit. You’re supposed to serve it with cheddar and apples, but I just wanted to hook it up with a dollop of créme fraiche. Yeah, yeah, blasphemy, blah blah. I’ll start feeling guilty about that after my next piece, m’kay?
Irish Inspirations Elsewhere:
- Another one for the skillet! Elise makes a gorgeous soda bread, and assures us that it is indeed eaten in Ireland.
- Nic at Baking Sheet makes a kneaded soda bread
- Molly’s scones beautifully exhibit the fennel seed and dried fruit combo
- Matt makes a soda bread from Bon Appétit
- The Irish Soda Bread I’d intended to make, before the NYTimes one flagged me down and demanded near-immediate gratification
And in-house:
- I don’t mean to boast, but this Guinness Chocolate Cake just might be the best recipe on this site
- As it’s suddenly become hot cocoa weather again, perhaps a little Bailey’s could perk it up?
Skillet Irish Soda Bread Served With Cheddar and Apples
New York Times 3/14/07
Yield: 1 10-inch loaf.
Butter for greasing pan plus 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
2 eggs, well beaten
1 1/2 cups raisins or currants
1 tablespoon caraway seeds
Good aged Cheddar cheese, for serving
Tart apples, cut into slices, for serving.
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 10-inch oven-proof skillet and line with parchment or waxed paper. (Deb note: Mine came out a bit taller, as my cast-iron is 8-inches and deep.)
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, eggs and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until just combined. Do not overmix. Stir in the raisins or currants and caraway seeds.
3. Pour batter into skillet. Brush top with remaining butter. Bake until golden and firm to touch, about 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes before slicing and serving with Cheddar and apples.
Bread again! You’re killing me! It looks gorgeous and I’m sure it tastes great too. I’m not printing the recipe just yet though, I’ve decided to make the Russian Black Bread this weekend and I want nothing to distract me from it!
I’ve been using yogurt (either plain or vanilla) in place of the buttermilk because I almost always have yogurt in the fridge, but rarely have buttermilk. Or half yogurt and half milk. My grandmother always made hers in the cast iron skillet, too. It was quite a sight to see a 96 year old lady swinging the heavy and hot pan around. She immigrated from Ireland in 1927 and lived to be 99 years old. I need to buy a skillet and dedicate it to her memory. Thanks for tickling my memory.
Lovely, lovely, Deb. It looks delicious, just as it did in the newspaper. I’m wondering how well it keeps. Any idea? And for fasteddie, if you don’t have buttermilk in the house, you can always make your own by combining milk and vinegar – quick and easy…
You very much inspire me to bake bread – your pictures are so lovely! But every time I try I’m a COMPLETE failure. Sad. This one looks/sounds more like a muffin, though, or scone, as you mention above. Maybe this one isn’t as intimidating.
A friend who came to cook last night, and who grew up in Ireland, told us that in Ireland the soda bread never has caraway — that caraway is an American addition. In fact, my friend is making it her mission to educate all of us caraway lovers one by one — and so I’m passing the word. Raisins, however, are definitely the traditional mix-in.
You are definitely on a bread making roll, even if this is more like a cake than a bread… but I still want to make the Russian bread, so I´ll forgo this one for now. Though thanks for reminding me of that Guiness-chocolate cake you made months ago, a friend of mine´s birthday is coming up and he is a Homer-like beer lover, so I´m sure he´d love that cake.
And by the way, these days, it seems that everything needs to be cooked in a cast iron skillet, why oh why? Don´t chefs realize that some of us have a very limited kitchen storage space? :(
I love love love Irish Soda Bread. And even though I know that the real deal doesn’t have caraway seeds or currents, I heart both of them too. So I made the epicurious one and added 2.5 tsp of caraway seeds. It was SUPER yum. And since I could only get a quart of buttermilk, it looks like I’m just going to have to make blueberry buttermilk coffee cake with the rest of the buttermilk. DARN!
Hi Deb, you are spot on with the comparison to an overgrown scone. For the last 2 days we’ve been picking away at the loaf I made, and always with a “oh, this is so good”. I woke up this morning with my belly staying, “you’ve had enough bread, haven’t you?” Thank goodness we finished it last night. BTW, the Irish commenters on my site have objected to the use of sugar (even the scant 2 Tbsp in my recipe) and egg, and say that they would call it a cake and not bread. But then, they would object to corn beef and cabbage too, so whatever.
LyB — Oh, I love this soda bread but there is no comparison for that Russian loaf. Plus, it’s hearty, healthy, warming and all sorts of other things that lighter breads aren’t as good at achieving. I swear, one slice can really fill you. I’d love to hear how it goes.
Fasteddie — Thanks for reminding me I wanted to link out the other places I’ve been seeing it! I rarely have buttermilk around either but once I buy it, like for this, I make a point to make biscuits or scones or pancakes with it. The only thing that always troubles me, of course, is how foul it smells. How would you ever know if it’s gone bad? Guh.
Luisa — I was worried about it keeping, too, because the only soda bread’s I’ve tried have been dry and kinda ick the next day. For the sake of science (of course) I have tried it again and it’s still very moist, although it lost a little crustiness on top because it was only 95% cold when I put it away. If necessary, I can, um, try a piece again tomorrow, you know, just to make sure it’s still good. ;)
Abby — This other other “quick” breads (no yeast, no kneading) are great places to start. You should!
Lydia — Ooh, thank you. Caraway is such an odd (but IMHO, tasty) choice, I find it funny that it migrated in.
Marce — I am, but mostly accidental. What’s really happening is that I’ve had no time to make weekday night dinners lately, but then have time before bed to start bigger, less time-sensitive things. I miss making dinner, though. I’d say buy one 9″ cast iron skillet and you’ll have it forever, plus it’s between the most commonly called-upon sizes, 8″ and 10″. The nice thing is unlike those Dutch ovens, they’re super cheap. Even in my neck of Manhattan, they’re but $10.
Lizzi — Ditto on the buttermilk. I am thinking of making biscuits and freezing them unbaked so we can have them if and when we want. Has you tried this?
Elise — I find it funny that I always want to be so authentic to original recipes (like that vanilla pound cake I made a few weeks ago with no baking soda, milk or anything) but on this, I only care about taste. It’s oddly liberating. (And I hope, not a slippery slope to calling food “Asian” if it has even teaspoon of soy sauce in it!)
That is so funny–I am actually eating soda bread right now, that the head Irish woman here at the office baked for everybody. YUM! it is delicious. And I am so bad for eating it. Damn! No more bread for a week!
jda
I agree with you, purity be damned. If you can improve on soeìmething (and as an Irish-American, I feel the authority to say that traditional Irish cuisine could stand some improving) go for it!
That bread looks divine and requires NO KNEADING! My great grandfather was Irish and I think I might make this tomorrow just to honor him. Though, the raisins will be replaced with dried cranberries and I’m thinking a little bit of honey to dip a wedge into. Oh, the Irish lass in me will be dancing tomorrow. And, I think the Polish boyfriend won’t mind one bit.
I made this bread on Wednesday night after reading it on the Times website. While my co-worker and husband were delighted, I thought it was very good, but with a few caveats:
1. It was a bit salty, which probably had a lot to do with the baking powder AND soda. As decreasing these ingredients would result in a lower rise, I will just decrease the salt to 3/4 tp next time.
2. I love the flavor of caraway, but would put 2 tp next time, I felt the amount in the recipe overwhelmed the delicate flavor of the bread.
3. Also, I think my oven heats accurately, but my bread was perfectly done in just 35 minutes, and I made it as the recipe calls for with a 10″ (cast iron) skillet.
That said, the flavor really is heightened when eaten alongside slices of NY cheddar and wedges of Granny Smith apple. The crème fraiche sounds divine too!
Another good buttermilk substitute is… buttermilk powder :-) It’s great for these recipes, because it’ll wait for you forever in the back of your cupboard without spoiling until you need it. I’ve had good luck with the milk + yoghurt route, too, but the one time I tried using vinegar, it turned into an inadvertant cheesemaking exercise.
I’ve never liked soda bread. Until now. That looks delicious, and I think I know what I’m making this weekend.
mmmm this looks so good, and I love that the ingredient list is so short! Looks like it would be a great breakfast muffin substitute!
You’re on a roll over here, I can barely keep up! I was eyeing that soda bread recipe, but I’ve made my Guinness Ginger Cake (with a nod to your own Guinness version).
As for biscuits, yes you can totally freeze unbaked ones, I often do this since I usually end up with too many than we should healthfully consume. Cut them out, place on baking sheets, freeze, then move them to a plastic bag and store in the freezer.
What a beautiful loaf of bread. Thanks for the other links as well. Those are well worth visiting!
I totally agree with the Guiness Chocolate Cake assessment. Usually I look and appreciate most of the stuff here, but don’t have the time (I was working two jobs) or the inclination (there are enough dishes to wash as it is) to make anything, but I made an exception several times for that one. I even brought the recipe with me overseas and made it here in Prague, beer capital of the world, and it went over really well with my Czech friends. However, I am suspicious that I didn’t get a few things like the baking soda right (I had no measuring spoons) and it came out really dry–the times I made it in the States it was nice and moist. Still good, though!
Tell us if you venture into the sourdough sections of your new bread books!! The only cookbook I’ve ever bought is the Bread Bakers Apprentice (actually, I made a friend buy it for me for christmas, she thought I was crazy), and I love it!!! But I can never get the sourdough culture to come out right…and I adore sourdough…
You folks who like to use buttermilk, but then feel obligated, no…pressured, guilted, even, into using that buttermilk up immediately so as not to waste it, might be glad to know that you can freeze it. I learned this several years back from an online gal and it’s what I do now. I freeze it in recipe sized portions (1 cup or so..definitely mark the lid as to it’s contents). The thawed version needs a stirring, and is probably only good for baking..which is what I use it for. Works great!
First, having spent a month in the UK some time ago, I wouldn’t put a lot of stock in their ideas of what’s good to eat. Anytime we strayed from pub food or curry places, the food was pretty dreadful. I’m sure your bread is an improvement on the original.
Second, one great use for buttermilk is using it instead of regular milk when you mash potatoes. Not sure why, but they’re just tastier when I do that.
This looks terrific! My father in law used to say the shortest book ever written was great Irish recipes. And Terry, since I have a lot of buttermilk left from my adventures in soda bread, thanks for the idea of using buttemilk in my mashed potatoes!
Made the bread yesterday with powdered buttermilk and chopped dried cranberries…about a cup.. and caraway seed because that is what I had on hand. Family loved it and I didn’t come home with even a piece.
Fast Eddie: You can substitute butter milk using milk and adding a bit of vinegar.
I made the bread this morning, I convinced my family it was horrible so I could hoarde it. I think they’re onto me.
I didn’t use the caraway though, that felt wrong from my Irish roots.
Looks tasty! I got discouraged from making the bread after doing some research into “authentic” Irish soda bread, because it just sounded too boring and not tasty enough to bother! But yours looks fantastic. Here’s the long-winded story I read about it: http://www.europeancuisines.com/Peters-Mums-Soda-Bread-Recipe
My soda bread recipe came down from my great-grandmother, who never set foot out of County Tyrone; and while it’s true it features no eggs, butter or caraway seeds, raisins are definitely there.
I followed this recipe myself and brought it to our family St. Pat’s dinner as well as taking another loaf to work. It was incredible and my family was hoarding slices for themselves. I really enjoyed the article and was quite amused by the author’s decision to ignore the “traditional” recipe and make her own version instead. Here’s a link to a few pictures of my loaf.
http://flickr.com/photos/mrsjack/423813976/”
http://flickr.com/photos/mrsjack/423813979/
My mother and aunts (all from Co. Tyrone) always include raisins. It doesn’t taste “authentic” to me without them. Imagine if we insisted on sticking to colonial American versions of recipes! Evolution is a good thing :)
Oh my, I was looking for Irish soda bread when I came upon this recipe and I have been drooling since. I have never made Irish soda bread before, but this recipe looked ripe for a knock off of my too many dried cranberries in the cupboard. Zest of one orange and a cup of cranberries and an evening of delight!
I only had a12 inch fry pan, but after adjusting the time to 30 minutes, it was perfect and perfectly delicious!
Hey Deb,
Nice soda bread recipe, but way to rich and fancy for a humble peasant food. (Eggs? Butter?) My recipe is dead easy – 8 c whole wheat flour, 1 q butter milk, 1 Tb salt, 1Tb baking soda and 1/4 c molasses. Dry ingredients in one bowl, heat molasses in a sauce pan to thin, then add buttermilk. Stir wet into dry. You’ll have a big wet mess, divide into two on a well floured board. More flour as as you shape into two balls. Flatten to about 2′ thick. Mark tops with giant X. Bake 45 minutes at 400 degrees.
Wonderful warm from the oven, fantastic used for toast for up to five days. Enjoy!
Deb – I was suckered in at the grocery store the other day… the red currant display was so beautiful and I needed to make a pint of them mine! Never having bought them before, I decided to make Irish Soda bread (in my new cast iron skillet) and it turned out so wonderfully moist and delicious! Thanks again!
I made this after having less than great luck with other Irish Soda bread recipes. This one came out great! It fulfilled my husband’s craving and was so easy to make. Thank you!
just made this (minus the caraway seeds) and it’s dee-LISH. husband and i are each on piece #2 and it’s only been out of the oven 10 minutes. it was my first time baking in a skillet and i loved it!
i think someone mentioned this above, but if you use a bigger skillet (i used a 12 inch) watch the bread closely as it will probably be done quicker than an hour. (mine was golden and firm at 45 minutes.)
thanks, deb!
I was wondering if anyone has tips for lining the cast iron skillet with parchment paper. Isn’t it difficult to make the papaer stay in? Would the bread get stuck without it?
Thanks!
Maya — It’s a security measure; it will guarantee that the cake/bread won’t stick. You can try it without, especially if yours is well-seasoned.
Would it be possible to replace the sugar with honey or omit entirely? Thanks!
I am wondering if it is OK to use a dutch oven instead of a cast iron skillet.
I just made this for St. Patrick’s Day and accidentaly used bread flour instead of all-purpose. It turned out a little bit chewier than I expect the normal recipe would, but it still tastes delicious. Thanks for the recipe!
Can this be done in a loaf pan instead of a cast iron skillet? Thanks.
I’m Irish, I’m from Dublin and have lived here all of my 22 years! I can tell you that the traditional Irish soda bread is still alive and well in Ireland. Most lunch cafes and ‘soup n sandwich’ kind of places would serve it. And a good fresh soda bread is really, really good (an-maith as Gaeilge!), it’s neither dry nor hard. It is irresistibly soft and moist. The thought of a fresh, warm, buttered slice of soda bread with a big bowl of hot, leek and potato soup is possibly one of the most comforting things I can think of. If you’re looking for a good, traditional recipe, I’d be happy to share, though I imagine you’d have no trouble finding one in one of your many books! This is the week of traditional Irish cooking too, being Paddy’s week (not just Paddy’s day anymore!). Irish stew, colcannon, soda bread, oysters and plenty of stout!
made this bread yesterday and it was most yummy! i halved the recipe for my tiny cast iron stillet, and it worked out perfectly! thank you, smitten kitchen, for once again sharing a great, easy recipe :)
I made this “bread” tonight with currants (no caraway seeds) and it was amazing. Very moist with a nice crust. Texture is like a cross between soda bread and a muffin. We had it warm from the oven with some butter. Maybe we’ll try cheddar and apples tomorrow night. I always have to adjust the cooking time in my oven since I have convection. I like using it for baking and usually drop the temperature about 25 degrees and cut the cooking time. Is there an actual rule for a convection oven? Thanks again for all of your recipes and can’t wait for the cookbook. I tell everyone about your site.
Love your blog, hate to cook, but showed this to my boyfriend who, thankfully, loves to cook! Paired this with Irish butter and corned beef and cabbage last night. Holy moley, this soda bread is the BEST. Made it plain, no seeds or raisins, and it was still delicious! Ate it again for breakfast (with jam!) this morning…and again for a late mornings snack…
Thanks for all your great recipes! And your searchable index :)
Your bread looks fabulous. I am definitely going to try it. I’m Irish so I’ll give you my input for what it is worth on soda bread from the native land. I grew up on very plain soda bread made by my Mother in the 70s. Great with a bowl of leek and potato soup for feeding a family economically. It was just white four, baking soda, cream of tartar, both sieved (but not the flour) to ensure no lumps, (bextartar), and sour milk, and a pinch of salt, mixed quickly and lightly, placed in a free form round with a cross, on a used butter wrapper. The key thing was not to over mix and get it into the hot oven rapidly and for the love of God not to open the oven door. It was cooked in a fuel fired Jubliee oven. The result was a light brown crust, a tight even crumb, and it was very clean tasting and feather light. Only good for eating for a few hours. Inedible the next day. The thought would never have occurred to anyone to add eggs, seeds, or butter, or any such newfangledness. I thought this was the best bread ever until recently my Mother told me that her Mother’s bread was the ne plus ultra of soda breads and that the local Canon made a special stop at her house for her bread. Apparently it was likened to eating cotton it was so light. What was the secret? Cast Iron. My Grandmother baked the same recipe in a covered cast iron pot over hot embers late at night so it was ready for the family early in the morning. This reminded me of Jim Laheys no knead bread baked using the same type of utensil. So, that’s why I love your recipe that uses a cast iron skillet. For some reason in 70s Ireland all the good cast iron had been thrown out in the race to modernity and alunimum was the cooking metal most widely available.
Above is maybe one of my favorite comments I’ve ever read on your site, and now I may never make soda bread again!
I just made soda bread last week without consulting your site–I know, it shocks me too. I used the recipe from my favorite cookbook, The New Basics (by the women of the Silver Palate). I am happy to see that this NYT recipe here reduces the sugar (here = 2/3 c., NB = 3/4 c.). I found mine too sweet. Otherwise, it is the nearly the exact same recipe–they use currants in NB, which is really nice and I recommend. Also, I would agree that the bread was best right out of the oven and got too moist the next day. All the more reason to eat it with friends right out of the oven!
I haven’t made this recipe yet, but… it has all the ingredients my grandmother (from County Roscommon, Ireland) used. Of course, she didn’t measure anything… and the number of eggs and the amount of sugar were directly proportional to how much she held the recipient close to her heart. At the end she always spread some butter over the top to melt into the nooks and sprinkled a “bit” of sugar over it all.
Om nom.
I’ve been making Irish Soda Scones from The Cheese Board’s cook book for a while now (time of year means nothing!) They have a similar characteristic in that they have lots of crunchy edge bits but soft goodness inside.
Now if only I could convince the FH that caraway seeds are tasty things…
Help, I just made the bread and it didn’t puff up at all. I followed the recipe exactly except for the seeds, what did I do wrong?
I have made this rcipi twice and it has always turned out good, though I have never made it with caraway seeds. It also never puffed up at all, what could I be doing wrong?
This recpie is very similar to one my family prepares for St. Patrick’s Day, traditionally it is served only for the feast day. We use 1 cup golden raisins, no caraway seeds and slightly different preportions of the other ingredients. Bake in an angel food pan if you do not have a cast iron skillet. It always comes out great, toast it in the oven the next day if you have any left.
I made this bread for St. Patty’s Day dinner — it was delicious … but was more moist and cake-like/scone-like than some Irish soda breads. Not a critique on the recipe, as it was absolutely yummy (and I served it with sliced apples and cheddar as suggested, which was a nice touch); it just wasn’t as “dry”/floury as some recipes. I will definitely make it again, but perhaps not for St. Pat’s. :-) Keep up the awesome work — this site is my go-to recipe spot! P.S. I have the Guinness cake on my list to try next!