• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Homestead Lady

Building our self-sufficient lifestyle one level at a time.

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Blog
    • Whole Kitchen
    • In the Garden
    • The Hearth
    • Critters
    • Green Living
    • Prepared
    • Book Reviews
  • Shop
    • Your Cart
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Golden Irish Soda Bread

February 28, 2020 by Homestead Lady 9 Comments

Here’s our family’s twist on a traditional Irish soda bread made bright by saffron and golden dried fruit. As a magical bonus we also show you how to change up the ingredients a bit to make the color of your bread match your favorite redhead. Liven up your St. Patrick’s Day with this easy, sweet yet savory golden version of soda bread! *Gluten free option provided, FYI.Irish soda bread

We don’t have gold to leave out for the leprechauns but we do try to entice them in with this golden Irish classic!

We’ll be using two herbs to cause color change in our recipe – saffron and turmeric. Many of us know how to use basic herbs in the kitchen, like basil and dill. However, there are simply SO many things you can make with herbs both in the kitchen and the medicine chest. Not to mention herbs you can add to your beauty regimen!

To learn more about how to use herbs in your daily life, I recommend getting starting with The Herbal Academy. Just click on the ad to be directed to their school – you can nose around the courses to see which might be best for you! No obligation to buy anything, if you’re not ready. However, this could be your year to really LEARN HERBS!

Enroll now in the Herbal Academy Introductory Course!

Golden Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Soda bread is a classic Irish bread that can be made both sweet or savory. You can eat this bread for breakfast, or with a hearty dinner. To learn the basics of the bread, please watch this short video and then read the recipe. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll get right back to you.

*FYI, for a gluten free version of this bread you can swap out the flour for Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 flour. I’ve used many gluten free flours and, in my opinion, Bob’s 1 to 1 is the best for simple swap out of flour.

soda bread

Golden Irish Soda Bread

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Here's our family's twist on a traditional Irish soda bread made bright by saffron and golden dried fruit.  As a magical bonus we also show you how to change up the ingredients a bit to make the color of your bread match your favorite redhead.  Liven up your St. Patrick's Day with this easy, sweet yet savory golden version of soda bread!

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Flour*
  • 2 tsp. Baking Soda
  • 2 tsp. Baking Powder
  • 1 tsp. Sea Salt
  • 1/2 tsp. Saffron, crushed to small bits
  • 1 Cup Buttermilk**
  • 1/4 Cup Raw Sugar or Monk Fruit Sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. Butter
  • 1 Cup Golden Raisins (or any golden dried fruit like apples, persimmon or pineapple)
  • 1 Tbsp. Caraway Seeds
  • 2 tsp. Lemon Zest
  • Milk for coating the loaf

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven 375F/191C.
  2. Measure out buttermilk. Crush the saffron in your hand and put it in the buttermilk to steep for 15 minutes.
  3. Sift together all the dry ingredients - flour, soda, powder, salt and sugar. Mix well.
  4. Cut the butter into the dry mix with a pastry cutter or two knives until the butter bits are like tiny pebbles.
  5. Gradually stir in the buttermilk mixture to form a dough. Mix the caraway, lemon zest and fruit in evenly.
  6. Dust a surface for kneading the dough into a 2 or 3 inch-high loaf.
  7. Put the load on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Use a pastry brush to coat the loaf with milk until the surface is smooth and glossy.
  8. Use a sharp knife to cut a cross into the top of the loaf. This prevents the loaf from cracking but it also makes an attractive top.
  9. Bake for 35 minutes until golden brown.
  10. Serve hot with butter and honey, or jam for breakfast. May also be served with just butter at dinner.

Notes

See the article to learn how to follow this recipe but switch out the saffron for a different herb to turn the loaf red-gold! We call this the Redhead Soda Bread.

*For a gluten free soda bread swap out the wheat flour for Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free flour.

**If you don't have buttermilk, measure out whole milk and add 2 tsp. of lemon juice. Allow the mixture to sit for ten-ish minutes. Milk will naturally curdle a bit.

 

The Redheaded Golden Irish Soda Bread

Now here’s how to turn your soda bread fiery red-gold to honor the redheads in your life, Irish or otherwise.

Follow the recipe exactly, except omit the saffron and add 2 teaspoons of turmeric. That’s it. Take out the saffron and add 2 teaspoons of turmeric and your bread will turn a bright gold and crimson. red gold Irish soda bread

How does it work?

Turmeric is an acid/base indicator. When it reacts with bases (like baking soda), it changes color to deep red. You would also get this effect if you used curry powder since it contains turmeric.

The flavor doesn’t really alter any as both saffron and turmeric are a tad bitter, though that fades out when mixed with the other flavors of the bread. Just don’t get excited and add to much of either herb.

Try a Kefir Version of Soda Bread

Those who struggle with digesting commercial yeast in regular breads may not struggle so with a baking soda leavened bread like this soda bread recipe. If you’d like to try a version of this bread that’s fermented with kefir, please visit the link below. It won’t be a traditional soda bread; more like a cross between soda bread and loaf bread. You can, however, add saffron to it to turn it golden – give it an Irish go!

—->>>Click to learn to make Kefir Fermented Bread Dough<<<—-

St. Patrick’s Day Traditions

Be sure to include the children in the kitchen while you whip up this easy bread. Soda bread is far simpler than other breads and little hands can easily help with the mixing and shaping. 

Here are some other family-friendly traditions for St. Patrick’s Day – the one day of the year that everyone is blessed to be Irish!

St. Patrick's Day Traditions and Fun!

Corned Beef Brisket from Scratch | Nitrate Free

Photo Credit: afarmgirlinthemaking.com

Colcannon Irish Potatoes

Photo Credit: www.wholefoodbellies.com

Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls Recipe Pioneering Today

Photo Credit: melissaknorris.com

Easy St. Patrick's Day Decor

Photo Credit: www.5minutesformom.com

Irish Blessing Printable

Photo Credit: www.amodernhomestead.com

Easy Leprechaun Trap Ideas for St Patricks Day STEM

Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

We put out our homemade Leprechaun traps every year, determined to finally get one so he can grant a wish. He's sneaked past us every year for 18 years but he always leaves a little treat to show it's all in good fun. Just another tradition that makes me smile.


Disclaimer: Information offered on the Homestead Lady website is for educational purposes only. Read my full disclaimer HERE.

You might also enjoy...

  • Herbal Holiday WreathsHerbal Holiday Wreaths
  • 3-Way Naturally Dyed St. Patrick’s Day Cookies3-Way Naturally Dyed St. Patrick’s Day Cookies
  • Fresh Cranberry & Dried Persimmon SauceFresh Cranberry & Dried Persimmon Sauce
  • Rustic DIY Holiday Porch SignsRustic DIY Holiday Porch Signs
  • Wassail Apple Cider MarshmallowsWassail Apple Cider Marshmallows
Irish soda bread

Share All Good Things.

Share on FacebookShare on PinterestShare on TwitterShare on Email

Filed Under: Whole Kitchen Tagged With: Family Time, Festive, Healthy Grains, Healthy Treat, Herbs, Homemade, Homestead Holidays, Make it Yourself, Medicinal Food, Spring Project, Winter Project

Previous Post: « Direct Sow Herbs
Next Post: Meals in a Jar + Curry Mayo Recipe! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Christina Kamp says

    March 3, 2020 at 3:16 pm

    This looks so good. I’m going to try it tonight!

    Reply
    • Homestead Lady says

      March 4, 2020 at 5:04 pm

      Your school kids would probably love the color change with the turmeric!

      Reply
  2. Addie says

    March 4, 2020 at 3:19 pm

    I’ve never even heard of soda bread before but now I want to try both versions!!

    Reply
    • Homestead Lady says

      March 4, 2020 at 5:04 pm

      It’s a nice, quick bread that looks pretty and tastes hearty. Great with soup!

      Reply
  3. Vladka says

    March 4, 2020 at 5:38 pm

    It’s all-new for me. Here in Europe, we don’t know what St. Patrick day is, how to celebrate and what to eat:)

    Reply
    • Homestead Lady says

      March 4, 2020 at 8:40 pm

      Apart from Dublin, I’m not even sure the Irish celebrate like the Irish-Americans do! Early Irish immigrants to the the US made it a tradition to celebrate the day in a big way to preserve their heritage while creating a new Irish-American culture.

      Reply
  4. Chelsea Duffy says

    March 4, 2020 at 10:21 pm

    I love soda bread and this one is so pretty! I am going to try making the gluten-free version. Thanks for sharing!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Homestead Lady says

      March 4, 2020 at 11:29 pm

      So glad you liked it, Chelsea! That Bob’s 1 to 1 is fantastic GF flour – I highly recommend it!

      Reply
  5. Emily Maze says

    March 10, 2020 at 11:38 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing this recipe and the substitutions!! It sounds so yummy!!
    Have you ever tried making a dairy-free version?! We’re on the GF AND DF life these days! The struggle is REAL! Lol

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

The Do It Yourself Homestead

Get your copy now!

Pinterest Facebook Twitter Instagram Image Map

Search Our Site

Popular Posts

  • DIY Wattle: Cheap Garden Fence
  • Candle Making Supplies l Make your own candle molds from upcycled materials l Hometead Lady (.com) l A DIY Candle Making Supplies: Make Your Own Molds
  • How to Plan and Plant a Medicinal Herb Garden
  • Make Your Own Plant Pots and Baskets l Learn to weave a natural basket from materials you have on hand l Homestead Lady (.com) Make Your Own Plant Pots and Baskets
  • Daniel’s Gut – A Recipe for Pulse

Affiliate Disclosure

This blog participates in various affiliate programs which means that you might click on a link for a product from which I will make a small commission, although the price for you doesn't change any. Sweet. I try to find affiliates to work with that I believe my readers will enjoy. I have yet to find a provider for flying pigs, though. I'll work on that.

Amazon Disclosure

Homestead Lady is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Disclaimer

The information presented at Homestead Lady is for educational purposes only. No statement has been evaluated by any federal agency, medical expert, nutritionist or even my mom. Read at your own risk.

Copyright

All photos and posts are the property of their creators. The Homestead Lady grants non-exclusive use of one photo and up to 50 words from posts with attribution and link back to the original post on this site. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Copyright © 2021 · Midnight theme

Copyright © 2021 · Midnight Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in