Irish Soda Bread is a staple of Irish cuisine. It is made with simple ingredients and baked into a round loaf. But, what if you could enjoy all the goodness of traditional Irish Soda Bread in a convenient, handheld form? Enter Irish Soda Bread Muffins—a delicious twist on the classic recipe that combines the same ingredients with the convenience of individual muffin servings.
Irish Soda Bread History
Irish Soda Bread holds a special place in Irish culinary heritage, dating back to the 19th century when baking soda became a common household ingredient. In its simplest form, Irish Soda Bread is made with only four ingredients–flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. The combination of baking soda and the acidity of buttermilk comes together and creates a chemical reaction that allows the bread to rise without the need for yeast.
Irish Soda Bread Muffins – A Modern Twist on Tradition
While traditional Irish Soda Bread is typically baked in a round loaf, Irish Soda Bread Muffins offer a convenient alternative. By adapting the recipe to muffin-sized portions, you can enjoy the same flavor of Irish Soda Bread in a fraction of the time at any time of the year. The individual servings make them perfect for easy sharing at the dinner table or enjoying them on the go with a cup of coffee. Besides, muffins offer a great way to test out additional ingredients, like craisins, raisins or even adding extra sweetness with sugar.
Ingredient Line-Up
All-Purpose Flour – provides the structure needed for the muffin.
Baking Soda – is the leavening agent that helps the muffin rise.
Salt – adds flavor.
Sugar – this ingredient is optional but does add a small touch of sweetness.
Buttermilk – the acid in the buttermilk works with the baking soda to help the muffin rise.
Dried Cranberries or Craisins – adds color, texture and sweetness.
Tools Needed
Mixing Bowls – use different mixing bowls to combine the dry and wet ingredients separately before mixing them together.
Measuring Cups & Spoons – you’ll need both measuring cups as well as measuring spoons.
Kitchen Scale – while optional, a kitchen scale allows you to weigh your ingredients, such as flour, more consistently.
Whisk and Spatula – a whisk is needed for blending the dry ingredients together while a silicone spatula is needed for folding in ingredients.
Large Cookie Scoop – use a large cookie portion scoop to portion out your muffins evenly.
Muffin Pan – a good quality standard muffin pan. A non-stick pan will help with muffin release.
Paper Liners – whether you use plain paper liners or themed paper liners, using them makes it easier to remove the muffins from the pan.
Cooling Rack – once baked, a cooling rack helps to circulate the air for even cooling.
Oven Mitts – a good oven mitt is essential when removing hot pans from the oven.
How to Make Irish Soda Bread Muffins
Turning Irish Soda Bread into a muffin recipe is pretty simple and has minimal prep time, too. Typically, when turning a quick bread recipe into a muffin recipe, the baking temperature can remain the same as in the original bread recipe, just be sure to watch your baking time as it will bake up faster. Most muffins will take anywhere from 18-22 minutes to bake.
Irish Soda Bread Muffins
Ingredients
- 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, optional for added sweetness
- 1-1/2 cups buttermilk, room temperature add 1tbsp at a time if more is needed
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1-2 tbsp granulated sugar for muffin tops optional for added sweetness
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉. Place paper liners into your muffin pan (or grease with cooking spray) and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients together–flour, baking soda, salt and sugar (if using). Whisk together to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Measure your buttermilk in a liquid measuring cup.
- Make a well in the center of the large bowl that contains the dry ingredients. Slowly pour in the buttermilk.
- Stir the buttermilk into the dry ingredients using a circular motion. If dough seems too dry, add in about 1 tablespoon of extra buttermilk at a time.
- Add in dried cranberries and fold into the batter. Do not over mix the batter.
- Use a large portion scoop (or ice cream scoop) to scoop the batter into the muffin pan, filling about ¾ full.
- If desired, sprinkle tops of muffins with a little bit of granulated sugar for added sweetness and a slightly crunchier muffin top.
- Bake at 375℉ for about 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool on a wire for about 5 minutes in the pan. Remove muffins from the pan and continue cooling or enjoy warm. Make about 18 standard muffins.
Great with Coffee
Irish Soda Bread muffins make for the perfect addition to your dinner table, but they also go great with a good cup of coffee in the morning. Looking for other ways to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day? Then check out how to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Festive Treats. If you’re trying to plan a St. Patrick’s Day dinner, then look at these dinner suggestions in Menu Planning: Celebrating Spring.
Those look yummy! This is one of my favorite traditions of March :).