Irish Soda Bread Muffins (Small Batch)
Irish Soda Bread Muffins (moist buttermilk muffins with raisins) are a great nod to Ireland plus uses up leftover buttermilk. Make them for St. Patrick’s Day!
Every year around this time, I get a little “homesick” for Ireland. It’s hard to believe I spent four months studying abroad in Limerick back in 2007.
It was my first time cooking for myself, which is how this blog got started.
I miss walking to campus through what felt like a tunnel of green trees and feeling so tranquil.
I miss walking to the abandoned castle off of campus and hanging out for the afternoon.
I even miss walking 20-30 minutes one way to the grocery store.
If there’s one thing I regret, I wish I had taken more pictures of the little details.
Someday I hope to travel back and rent a car to really explore. Although that’s going to be fun trying to drive on the left side of the road with the driver’s side on the right side of the car (the passenger’s side).
To help keep the memories of Ireland alive I make Irish-inspired food, although these Irish Soda Bread Muffins are a bit of a stretch from my mini Irish soda bread.
Irish Soda Bread Muffins are more like buttermilk muffins with raisins rather than traditional Irish soda bread. There are more than the necessary 4 ingredients (5 if you’re counting raisins).
Plus baking Irish soda bread in muffin tins makes them easier to share and to eat on the go. You can also freeze them for future breakfasts.
The best part? They’re moister than traditional soda bread. Sometimes the bread can be a bit on the dry side due to the limited ingredients.
Whether you’re a purist or open to interpretation, I don’t think you can say no.
What is Irish soda bread?
Irish Soda Bread is a quick bread that relies on baking soda for leavening rather than yeast. It’s made up of 4 ingredients:
- All-purpose Flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Buttermilk
As you’ll see with my Irish soda bread muffins, there is sugar, egg, butter, and oil added. Even the raisins I love adding aren’t technically traditional.
Although this makes my recipe non-traditional, they still pay homage to their origin.
The muffins are also moister than soda bread, so no butter necessary for serving.
Can you make Irish soda bread muffins without raisins?
Yes, you can make Irish soda bread muffins without raisins by leaving them out.
Can you substitute milk for the buttermilk?
Irish soda bread is made with buttermilk, not only to react with the baking soda but to also add flavor.
I personally would stick with buttermilk for taste purposes. You can usually buy a pint of it for small batch baking.
After making this recipe, check out my recipes for using leftover buttermilk.
However, if you don’t have buttermilk, in a pinch you can substitute an equal amount of whole milk plus lemon juice or vinegar.
This acid is needed to react with the baking soda, so don’t leave this part out.
How To Make Irish Soda Bread Muffins
First, mix all the dry ingredients together a bowl large enough for stirring.
Next, beat together the egg yolk, buttermilk, melted butter, and vegetable oil. Then add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix everything together. Don’t forget your raisins!
Because the fat is liquid, you don’t even need a mixer. You can stir everything together with a spoon.
Transfer the batter to a muffin pan then bake at 400F until done, about 15-18 minutes. Cool completely before serving.
Because this is a small batch blog, my recipe makes 6 muffins. That leaves you with an extra egg white.
No worries! Learn what to do with egg whites! I highly recommend my flourless chocolate cookies.
How To Store Irish Soda Bread Muffins
Unlike traditional soda bread, these buttermilk muffins can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
How To Freeze Irish Soda Bread Muffins
Even though this is a small batch recipe, you can easily freeze any extras.
Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe plastic bag, then freeze for up to 3 months.
What To Serve With Irish Soda Bread Muffins
Irish Soda Bread is synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day, so you’ll want to serve these muffins alongside these Irish recipes:
Irish Soda Bread Muffins (Small Batch)
Irish Soda Bread Muffins (moist buttermilk muffins with raisins) are a great nod to Ireland plus uses up leftover buttermilk. Make them for St. Patrick’s Day!
Ingredients
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup + 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup raisins, plumped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Grease 6 cups in a 12-cup muffin pan or line with 6 paper liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
- In a large measuring cup or bowl, beat together the egg yolk, buttermilk, melted butter, and oil.
- By hand with a spoon, gradually stir the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture until moistened. Stir in the raisins.
- Fill each muffin cup about three-fourths full. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon sugar.
- Bake 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes before removing from the pan. Serve warm or cool to room temperature.
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
To plump raisins:
- Place raisins in a bowl. Pour hot water over top until raisins are completely submerged. Let sit 5 minutes or until plumped. Drain and pat dry before using.
Notes
- Complete your meal by serving muffins alongside Stove Top Corned Beef and Cabbage or Guinness Shepherd's Pie
- Looking for a more traditional recipe? Check out my Mini Irish Soda Bread
- Don't know what to do with your egg white? Check out my recipes for leftover egg whites.
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Originally published March 3, 2014
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Carla,
These muffins look so wonderful! How bright and cheerful. I’ve got buttermilk, but I’m in a three way dilemma about what to do with it. My kids love soaked-oat muffins. I want to stash some buttermilk pesto pizza dough in the freezer. And my son wants to learn to make ranch dressing. Oy!
Sounds like someone needs more buttermilk ;)
awwwwww I love reading you talk about Ireland-it sounds lovely :) as do these soda bread muffins! so cute and perfect for St. Paddy’s!
I’m glad you do because I’ll probably talk about Ireland all month ;)
I love the texture buttermilk gives, and this little way to remember your time in Ireland! What pretty muffins.
Me too. Worth buying buttermilk for them.
Love these muffins. Thank you.
Thanks Liz!
hhhmmmmm, amazing, fluffy, tasty and great combination for this muffins..:)
Thanks Aurica!
How wonderful to have spent that much time there. I love soda bread and always make it around St. Patrick’s Day (even though I’m not Irish) and then wonder why I don’t make it more often. I used to work with a woman who grew up in Ireland (even spoke with a brogue) and she gave me the recipe I still use and love.
Same here. Seems like I forgot about it until I see green everywhere in stores!
I Love this recipe!!
It looks scrumptious!!
Thanks :)
This is going to sound weird but I’ve always thought of you as Irish. Your name isn’t Irish and you don’t look especially Irish but it’s just your profile picture. You standing there with a plate full of baked goods and a big smile on your face. I can imagine you saying, “I made these muffins just for you! Eat, eat, eat! :D” in a super friendly way. It reminds me of my distant cousins in Ireland who made my family, like, 7 kinds of potatoes when we came by for a visit (and after we told them we weren’t hungry!)
So there. I equate super friendly people who make me food and smile about it with the Irish.
Weirdest comment ever?
Oh! But I have a point coming here. These muffins have been on my mind since I saw them. I’m getting up to make them now! Going to attempt a 100% whole wheat version. :)
Ha! Loved this comment :) I’m half Italian with no Irish in me, but there’s plenty of Irish in my heart from when I was overseas.
Waaaaah do not say it’s been 7 years!! so crazy! Looking forward to reunion 2015!
Right?! I can’t wait to see you again <3
These are so good! I made a few changes and they were still excellent. :) Right after I made them, they were quite fluffy, which confused me (it’s soda bread!) but 12 hours later… they’re a little denser and just perfect. :)
Thanks so much for the recipe!
Glad to hear it! Yea they a bit fluffier than what you’d expect soda bread to be (which is why I was hesitant in calling them that, but that’s what the original recipe called it).
My mom loves soda bread and muffins. I have to share this recipe with her!
I’d love to visit Ireland one day. I haven’t done much traveling in my life yet, but I’m sure I’ll get there someday. I always buy a litre of buttermilk and end up with tons leftover. I’ll print this recipe out so that I know what I’ll make next time that happens. These muffins look delicious!
You need to! I miss it so much. I decided within the next 10 years I’m going back, to both travel and see one of my best friends in Dublin. Maybe you can hop into my suitcase with me ;)
I do love classic irish soda bread, but I LOVE how moist these muffins look! perfect for afternoon tea
Carla,
I love Irish Soda Bread – the sweet kind. I can’t wait to try your muffins.
Annamaria
Made these tonight instead of traditional soda bread. I may never go back. These are absolutely FANTASTIC!
Oh wonderful! Glad you enjoyed the muffins.
I just made these today – easy-peasy. I love how quickly the batter comes together, and the results are delicious. I have to admit that I’m not a huge fan of traditional soda bread, so these really are an excellent alternative.
Glad you enjoyed the muffins! They are more moist than traditional, so I can see why you enjoy them more.
Hi I want to make the muffins but would like to do double batch do I use 1whole egg or 2 yolks
1 whole egg