Grand Prize Winning Irish Soda Bread Best Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread Recipe [Irish Soda Bread Baking Contest 2026]

Mary Fleming was the Grand Prize Winner of our 2026 Irish Soda Bread Baking Contest!

Irish Soda Bread

5 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder

Whisk together in a large bowl. Add the following to the flour mixture, whisking/stirring after each addition:

1 tbsp butter, melted
2 cups raisins (break up any chunks)

In a large measuring cup or bowl, whisk together 2-1/4 cup buttermilk and 2 eggs.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk mixture. Mix until JUST combined.

Bake in 10" cast iron skillet that is greased and floured - 350 degrees for 1 hour, turning 1/2 way after 30 minutes.

Most Unique Irish Soda Bread [Irish Soda Bread Baking Contest 2026]

Our own Ale Wanat won the Most Unique Soda Bread with her delicious cheddar onion entry. It was definitely one of our favorites!

Cheddar Onion Soda Bread

Ingredients:

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (250 g)

• 2 cups whole wheat flour (250 g)

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (150 g)

• 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (100 g)

• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion (1/2 onion)

• 1 2/3 cups buttermilk (400 mL)

• 1 tsp baking soda

  Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit

2. Mix flours, salt, and cheeses, and onion in a medium bowl.

3. Add in buttermilk and baking soda and mix with your hands to combine. You want to mix until it is all just come together. Not too milky, and not too dry.

4. Dust your countertop lightly with flour and place the dough in the counter and shape into a ball.

5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly dust the parchment paper and top of the bread. Carefully place your bread onto the baking sheet.

6. Using a knife or bench scraper, make an X in the dough, cutting almost down to the bottom. If you want, add some extra grated Parmesan cheese into the cuts you made for extra flavor.

7. Place the baking sheet into the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.

8. Remove from the oven and cool before cutting into it and enjoying!!

Best Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread Recipe [Irish Soda Bread Baking Contest 2026]

At our 2026 Irish Soda Bread Contest, the Best Gluten Free Recipe was won by Truman (here he is pictured with his mom, Maggie)

Margaret Mary’s Irish Soda Bread, Gluten Free

15.75 oz. gf flour
1.5 tsp xanthan gum (don’t add this if your gf flour already has it in it)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp caraway seeds
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups raisins (I like half golden, half dark)
6 tbsp butter, melted and cooled
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x5 bread pan w/crisco and a little flour tapped onto it.

1. Mix dry ingredients together. Add raisins and mix. Make sure the raisins are completely covered in flour otherwise they will sink to the bottom.

2. Combine eggs, melted butter and buttermilk. Don't worry if curds form.

3. Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in wet ingredients. Mix and knead the dough together. The dough will be very heavy and wet. Because it's gf dough, let it sit covered for 30 minutes before baking.

4. Place the dough in the pan. Use your knuckles to gently press the dough down so it's level. Slice a cross on the top and dot with butter in each corner. Pat a little buttermilk on top and sprinkle sugar.

5. Bake for 45-60 minutes. When it's golden and the tester is clean, it's done. Might need to put foil on top so it doesn't burn.

Notes: I've used my own mixed American Test Kitchen GF Flour which doesn't have xanthan gum, and I've used Better Batter Flour with xanthan gum with mostly equal results. Better Batter has a more jelled texture and American Test Kitchen GF Flour is a little more delicate. It always tastes best if you tell an Irish tall tale while mixing.