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.
I totally agree about inspiration hitting at the weirdest time. I’ll bust out my iphone and jot down blurbs of thoughts sometimes. I have a hard time believing that you have the cheapest DSLR because man, you take great shots. Can’t wait to try this soda bread. I married into an irish family so that has become a staple for us!
without trying to sound cocky, it’s not about the camera, it’s about learning how to use it :) And, thank you!
a cinnamon bun meets soda bread with the best parts of each = THAT is perfect. The flavor, no rising time, cinnamon and sugar…this is perfect!
YOU DON’T give yourself enough credit ;) and you should. ps- in the meantime, (I’ve offered this before), if you need some reviews of your food and are looking for a taste tester with a very good pallet, I’m your gal
This sounds SO good! My mom makes a mean Irish soda bread that I now make every year too… this is an awesome twist on a classic. I’ll definitely need to give this one a try!
OMG That looks delicious…
And it gave me an idea!
It’s funny that you don’t think you could bake/cook something. The stuff you make is always so impressive that I don’t even want to bother trying because i’m pretty sure I’ll destroy it.
I make irish beer bread for my bff for st pats every year. I love sweet soda bread, though. sooooo good.
Taste testing WOULD be the best job–and yea, the increased exercise is definitely a must :)
What a fabulous bread, Gina! I love that you used cinnamon sugar, too. This would make some seriously good French toast or bread pudding…
I was cracking up at all of the reference up top because I thought about how the Mr was not pleased my DSLR was covered in sawdust in the garage and how just last night I had to wipe peanut butter off of it! :-)
This looks like an amazing recipe! I like soda bread on occasion so I’ll be giving this a go!