This cinnamon sugar soda bread is an easy recipe for Irish soda bread with the subtle sweet taste of a cinnamon bun. A dessert twist to the traditional bread.
Things I’ve learned since I started blogging:
-dishwashers in restaurants are seriously underpaid and under appreciated.
-potato mashers make great pastry cutters in a pinch.
-professional taste testing would be my dream job.
-even when you make copious amounts of food, it finds a way to get eaten.
-because of previous statement, you exercise more.
-cameras function fine even when covered with flour, breadcrumbs and other foodstuffs.
-I’m glad I own the cheapest DSLR Canon makes.
-inspiration for recipes comes at really weird times. Standing in line at the post office, in the bathroom, while on conference calls about pipelines.
-I don’t give myself enough credit.
We’re one week out from St. Patrick’s Day and while I have never celebrated or even worn green (it’s not my color) on the actual day, I’ve been thinking about Irish soda bread.
For some reason, I assumed it was difficult and there was no way I could make it. I’ve done this before like with the pumpkin chocolate chip scones and tend to do this anytime it comes to baking, especially yeast breads.
I think it’s mostly a fear of not being perfect rather than legitimately thinking I can’t.
I was the kid that didn’t try walking until I could pretty much do it flawlessly. Me and perfection, we go waaaay back.
But guess what?
Soda bread is probably one of the easiest breads out there.
A little research, a little brainstorming and I just got in the kitchen, mixed some stuff together, put a pretty little “X” on the top and shoved it in the oven.
I wanted this bread to be different than most Irish soda breads though because let’s be honest, soda bread is usually kind of blah.
So I tweaked and probably corrupted the traditional soda bread recipe in some eyes and added more sugar, vanilla and cinnamon.
The result is like a cinnamon bun meets soda bread with the best parts of each.
No rising time, no rolling out, barely any kneading but a subtle hint of cinnamon bun flavor without the heart attack levels of butter.
Perfection.
Whether you eat it this cinnamon sugar soda bread for breakfast with some coffee or as dessert any time in March, I think you’ll love it!
Cinnamon Sugar Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose unbleached flour
- 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 tablespoons cold butter, diced
- 1 cup raisins, I mixed half/half regular & golden
- 2 eggs, beaten & divided
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- extra cinnamon & sugar for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease a dutch oven or cast iron skillet. Alternatively, a baking sheet will work as well.
- Combine flours, salt, sugar, cinnamon and baking soda in a large bowl.
- Add in diced butter and cut into flour with either a fork, pastry cutter or potato masher until flour is the consistency of coarse meal.
- Add in raisins and toss to coat in flour mixture.
- Combine milk and vanilla in a small bowl and then pour into large bowl with the flour. Add 1 beaten egg as well.
- Bring wet and dry ingredients together with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula.
- Turn out onto floured surface and knead 5-10 times until dough just comes together, don't over handle the dough.
- Form into a ball and place in dutch oven or skillet.
- Score bread making an "X" on top with a serrated knife.
- Brush bread with remaining beaten egg and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool on a wire rack.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Great recipe! I love bread! I have never had soda bread, but I plan on making some this weekend! Have a wonderful weekend!
Looks delicious and I love our addition of cinnamon and sugar! I can completely relate to the flour on the camera thing when I bake-lol!
I agree about the amount of food produced in the kitchen and heading to my belly… Then run, walk, bike, hike, yoga, whatever the heck out of it off. The pictures that you take are gorgeous, nobody would ever know your camera isn’t the best out there. The reason why I never tried making soda bread is because it seems too bland, but this tweaked version is the way to go. Thanks for sharing!
Taste testing would be my dream job too! Can you imagine the awesomeness?! Annnnd… computers also function well covered with flour, et al. ;)
Your bread looks great! The only soda bread I’ve ever like was in Ireland. They told us we couldn’t recreate it in America because they have some special flour. Love that you made a tastier version of the American rendition!!
Yum– I agree with you; soda bread usually seems so boring to me. This one looks like it actually has FLAVOR!!
What a fabulous twist on a classic!! Brilliant.
And I know what you mean about “things you learned since blogging”. I’m amazed my camera still functions At. All. And more often than not I find weird food combos at the most inopportune of times.
I have never tried soda bread before, but it always looks so delicious. Unfortunately, baking bread always goes horribly wrong for me. However, since it doesn’t rely on yeast, it might be worth an attempt at the unskilled baking hands. Wish me luck?
I have faith in you! :)
wait… no yeast?! now this is a bread I could definitely handle. I’m very irish and we always had this bread around during the holiday, but never homemade, always store bought.
No yeast, they’re basically quick breads!
Mmmm :)
You should give yourself a TON of credit, Gina! You’re amazing in the kitchen, with your photos, with your words. Easily one of my top fave blogs. :)
Aw, thanks Tina :) This just made my morning.