Easy Mini Irish Soda Bread is a treat for St. Patrick's Day, an Irish Afternoon Tea, or any spring gathering. They're moist and tender with melted butter, sweetened with raisins and rich with buttermilk. And to me... perfect in every way.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. You can use your fingers or a pastry cutter. Add the raisins and then make a well in the center.
Pour 1 cup of buttermilk into the well in the center of the flour mixture. Using a fork or your hands, combine the ingredients just until the dough begins to come together. Add additional buttermilk if necessary, 1 tablespoon at a time.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and gently knead until it fully comes together.
Divide the dough into 9 mounds of about ½ cup each. Transfer the dough to the parchment-lined baking sheet, cut a cross in the top, and brush each a drizzle of buttermilk.
Bake until slightly risen and golden brown; 20 to 22 minutes. For me, I can't imagine Irish Soda Bread without a drizzle of the finest honey I can find. It's such a treat! Serve warm or room temperature. And... they freeze exceptionally well too.