Irish Soda Bread

4.95 from 18 votes

This Irish Soda Bread is studded with chocolate chips, made with brown sugar and paired with a delicious honey butter. Make this on St. Patrick's Day and enjoy a day of celebration.

Prep Time10

Cook Time45

Total Time55

Course: Bread, Breakfast

Cuisine: American, Irish

Servings:

Author: Adrianna Adarme

Cost: $8

Equipment

1 box grater
1 spatula
1 Baking Sheet

Ingredients

Irish Soda Bread:

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter cold
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups buttermilk shaken
1 large egg beaten, for egg wash (optional)

Salted Honey Butter:

1/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
Pinch kosher salt
2 teaspoons honey

Instructions

To Make the Soda Bread:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment; set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Using a box grater, grate the butter into the dry ingredients and mix quickly, being sure the butter is broken up into pea-sized bits. Next, add the rolled oats and chocolate chips; toss them gently in the flour mixture so they are evenly distributed.
Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the buttermilk. Using a wooden spoon, mix it together until it forms a shaggy ball. Drop the soda bread dough onto a lightly floured counter and knead a few times, being sure to not over handle it, which will result in tough bread. Form the soda bread into a 1 1/2-inch thick disc.
Using a knife, score the top, forming an X, and brush it with the egg wash OR you could always use buttermilk.
Transfer the soda bread to the baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes, and until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Serve warm with plenty of honey butter.

To Make the Honey Butter:

Mix together the butter, salt and honey. Mix until smooth. Serve alongside soda bread.

Notes

To Make Ahead:

You can make this irish bread dough, form it into a round and then freeze it on a baking sheet for 1 hour. Transfer to a freezer-safe plastic bag and then bake from the freezer. You might need to add about 5 to 7 minutes to the baking time.

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