Chef John's Irish Soda Bread

This moist soda bread recipe is flavored with buttermilk, honey, and orange zest and is perfect for St. Patrick's Day — or any time of year.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 195 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup dried currants
• 2 teaspoons grated orange zest
• 2 tablespoons honey, or more to taste
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.33333334326744 cup golden raisins
• 0.5 cup whole wheat flour
• 0.25 cup rolled oats
• 3.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.75 cups buttermilk
• 1.25 teaspoons baking soda
• 0.25 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and fragrant, about 45 minutes. Transfer loaves to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Step 2

Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Step 3

Whisk all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, oats, salt, baking soda, and baking powder together in a large bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture using a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 4

Beat buttermilk, egg, honey, and orange zest together in a medium bowl. Pour buttermilk mixture, currants, and raisins into flour-butter mixture; stir with a wooden spoon until a wet, sticky dough comes together.

Step 5

Turn dough out onto a well-floured work surface; press dough together into a ball and cut into 2 equal pieces. Form each into a smooth, round loaf.

Step 6

Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and let rest for 15 minutes. Cut a 1/2-inch-deep "X" into the top of each loaf using a serrated knife.