Irish Soda Bread With Sour Cream Recipe

Of all the types of breads that you can bake, this Irish soda bread with sour cream may not be the first thing to come to mind. If you've ever had it though, then you know just how delicious it is, combining subtle sweetness and savoriness to perfection. Recipe developer Miriam Hahn has crafted this wonderful recipe, so making Irish soda bread from scratch has never been easier.

"My favorite thing about this bread is how versatile it is," Hahn says. "You can eat this for breakfast, have it with dinner, or have it as a dessert. I also love that it is super easy to make and doesn't involve kneading and rise time that many breads require. So much simpler!" Indeed, this is easy bread to make, especially compared to something like sourdough. No kneading, no rise time, and no special tools needed. And, with just over an hour of prep and cook time, you'll go from baking to enjoying this bread before you know it. If you're looking to switch things up in the kitchen, give this recipe for Irish soda bread with sour cream a try!

One of the best things about this recipe is that it perfectly mixes sweet and savory flavors. "It is a very dense bread that is savory with a hint of sweet," Hahn explains. "There is a small amount of sugar in this bread which keeps it so versatile." So, to accomplish this combination of flavors, you'll want to make sure that you have the right ingredients. For this recipe, you'll need flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, softened butter, buttermilk, sour cream, an egg, and raisins. 

As with any bread recipe, you'll start by making the dough. First things first, preheat your oven to 350 F. Then, in a large bowl, combine 4 cups of flour, the sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Add in the butter — make sure it's softened beforehand — and, using two knives, break it up into the mix, blending it with the other ingredients. 

Create a well in the center of the flour and add in the buttermilk, sour cream, and the beaten egg. Stir everything together until just combined, being careful not to overmix. 

Once you've formed a dough, fold the raisins in. Then, put the dough into an 8-inch baking pan — cast iron skillets work well, too. Sprinkle the remaining ½ tablespoon of flour onto the top of the dough and, using a knife, cut a deep X shape through the middle. Pop the bread into the preheated oven and allow it to bake for 50 minutes. Once that time is up, take the bread out of the oven and allow it to cool for at least 15 minutes. 

Now that your Irish soda bread has had time to cool down, you're ready to serve and enjoy! "I think this bread goes great with fruit and coffee in the morning," Hahn says. "It is great with a little butter and some people like to add a fruit jam." Of course, your options aren't just limited to breakfast. "It is nice to serve with a soup or stew. It is great sliced for sandwiches," she notes. "Anything from peanut butter and jelly to pastrami with sauerkraut." It can also be served with ice cream and honey as a dessert treat — it's truly a versatile bread!

As for leftovers, Hahn notes that "it does tend to dry out so it is only good for a few days." If you do keep leftovers, store them in a glass container and wrap a slice in a damp paper towel before reheating it in the microwave.