Name: Spicy Raisin Soda Bread Biscuits Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 23 min
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 3 cups all purpose flour; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 2 teaspoons caraway seeds (optional); 1/2 to 1 cup raisins (optional); 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 1/4 cups buttermilk

If you love the cozy charm of traditional Irish soda bread but want something with a little extra kick and sweetness, then you’re going to adore this Spicy Raisin Soda Bread Biscuits Recipe. They’ve got that tender crumb with raisins and caraway seeds making every bite a little adventure.

The image shows a close-up of a stack of four round scones with a rough, crumbly texture. Each scone is pale cream in color with golden-brown edges and spots where the surface is slightly toasted. Small bits of dried fruits, like raisins, are visible scattered unevenly throughout each scone, peeking through the dough. The scones are placed together in a small pile on a white plate. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Raisin Soda Bread Biscuits Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Spicy Raisin Soda Bread Biscuits Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Spicy Raisin Soda Bread Biscuits Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I never thought soda bread could be this quick and versatile until I made these biscuits. They’re perfect for a hearty breakfast or a snack, and so simple you’ll want to keep the ingredients stocked all the time.

Super Quick: Ready in under 25 minutes, perfect for busy mornings or last-minute cravings.
Easy Portioning: Baking in a muffin tin means perfectly sized biscuits every time — no cutting required.
Flavorful Twists: Sweet raisins combined with aromatic caraway seeds add surprising depth.
Simple Ingredients: Made mostly from pantry staples you likely already have on hand.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Gathering your ingredients doesn’t have to be a scavenger hunt. Most are probably hanging out in your cupboard and fridge right now. Just pick fresh flour and good-quality butter for the best texture and taste, and don’t skip the buttermilk—it’s what makes these biscuits tender and gives that signature tang.

Flat lay of a small mound of all purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl of baking soda powder, a few pieces of unsalted butter at room temperature, a small white ceramic bowl of caraway seeds, a small white ceramic bowl of plump raisins, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy buttermilk, two whole uncracked brown eggs, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All purpose flour: The foundation for the biscuits, providing structure and a soft crumb.
Sugar: Adds a gentle sweetness that balances the spices and tang.
Baking soda: The leavening agent that reacts with the buttermilk to give these biscuits a nice rise.
Kosher salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
Caraway seeds (optional): Bring that classic Irish soda bread note with a subtle anise flavor.
Raisins (optional): For bursts of juicy sweetness, making the biscuits even more comforting.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps achieve the perfect crumb.
Buttermilk: Provides moisture and acidity, which activates the baking soda and tenderizes the dough.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Spicy Raisin Soda Bread Biscuits Recipe is how easy it is to tailor the flavors to your liking. Whether you want to dial up the spice, add a new mix-in, or go for a sweeter or more savory bite, these biscuits are a great canvas for creativity.

Less Sweet Version: I’ve made these biscuits with just ¼ cup sugar when I wanted a more understated sweetness—perfect for pairing with a sharp cheddar or hearty stew.
Extra Spice Kick: Adding a pinch of ground cinnamon or even a hint of cayenne transforms the biscuits into a cozy, warming treat with a spicy edge. It’s a delicious contrast to the raisins’ sweetness!
Nutty Add-Ins: Chopped walnuts or pecans tossed in with the raisins provide lovely crunch and deepen the texture, making these biscuits even more irresistible.
Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap the buttermilk for a plant-based milk with a splash of apple cider vinegar to mimic the tang. Use a plant-based butter or coconut oil to keep things vegan-friendly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Raisin Soda Bread Biscuits Recipe

A close-up view of a large metal bowl filled with rough, uneven dough that looks crumbly and has small lumps and pieces mixed inside. The dough is pale, off-white with some slightly darker bits scattered throughout. The inside sides of the shiny metal bowl show some dough stuck to them. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with soft light shining, making the metal reflect some brightness. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan

Start by heating your oven to 425°F — the high temperature gives these biscuits their beautiful golden tops and tender crumb. While it’s warming, butter your 12-cup muffin pan generously. This step ensures your biscuits slide right out when they’re done, no sticking or crumbling!

Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, ½ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. This vigorous mixing distributes the leavening agents and seasoning evenly, so every biscuit bakes perfectly balanced from edge to edge.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Cut 1 stick (½ cup) room-temperature unsalted butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and add them to the dry mix. Here’s the fun part—using clean fingers, “schmoosh” the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse meal with a few pea-sized chunks of butter still visible. This keeps the biscuits tender and flaky once baked.

Step 4: Add Raisins and Caraway Seeds (Optional!)

If you’re mixing in raisins (anywhere from ½ to 1 cup) and 2 teaspoons caraway seeds, fold them gently into your flour and butter mixture now. They bring that classic Irish soda bread flavor with a delightful surprise in every bite.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in 1 ¼ cups buttermilk. Using a wooden spoon, gently fold the flour into the buttermilk until it’s just moistened. Then jump in with your hands and quickly bring the dough together into a loose, shaggy, slightly sticky ball. If it feels too dry, splash in an extra tablespoon of buttermilk; if it’s too wet, dust in a bit more flour. Be mindful not to overwork the dough—quick mixing preserves a tender crumb.

Step 6: Shape and Portion the Dough

Break off the dough into 12 roughly equal portions. Shape each into a rustic little biscuit, then set them into the prepared muffin pan wells. They don’t have to be perfect—irregular shapes add to the homemade charm!

Step 7: Bake Until Golden

Pop your muffin pan into the preheated oven and bake for about 13 minutes. The biscuits are ready when the tops are a lovely golden brown and they sound hollow when you tap them lightly. That crisp crust and fluffy inside combo is pure biscuit bliss.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Once baked, let the biscuits rest for a couple of minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool a bit more. Serve warm, slathered with butter and your favorite jam, and savor that comforting homemade goodness!

Top Tip

These little Spicy Raisin Soda Bread Biscuits are wonderfully simple, but a few little tricks can make your batch absolutely unforgettable.

Use room temperature butter: Working the butter into the flour is easiest when it’s soft but not melted. This ensures the biscuits get that perfect tender, flaky texture.
Don’t overmix the dough: I learned the hard way that mixing too much can make these biscuits dense instead of light and crumbly, so gently bring the dough together and stop as soon as it holds.
Work quickly after adding buttermilk: The reaction between baking soda and buttermilk gives you the rise—if you dawdle, you’ll lose some of that magic.
Butter your muffin tin generously: Prevent any biscuit sticking and make removal a breeze, which means perfect shapes every time!

How to Serve Spicy Raisin Soda Bread Biscuits Recipe

The image shows a metal muffin tray with six muffin slots, each filled with an uneven, rough-textured dough mound. The dough is light beige in color with small dark spots of raisins or similar dried fruit scattered throughout. The muffin tray is on a white marbled surface. The dough pieces have a baked golden-brown top in some spots, creating a contrast with the lighter sides. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

These biscuits shine when served warm, slathered with a pat of creamy butter and a dollop of your favorite jam—think tangy raspberry or rich blackberry. For a spicy twist, a drizzle of honey infused with a pinch of cinnamon is simply divine. If you want a savory note, try a smear of sharp cheddar or a touch of cream cheese with freshly cracked black pepper.

Side Dishes

Complement your Spicy Raisin Soda Bread Biscuits with a steaming bowl of Irish stew or a fresh green salad tossed with mustard vinaigrette. A warm bowl of tomato soup also pairs beautifully, especially if you’re enjoying these for a cozy lunch or snack. And for breakfast, serve alongside scrambled eggs and crisp bacon or sautéed mushrooms for a hearty start to your day.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This keeps them tender and moist, ready for snacking with minimal fuss.

Freezing

These biscuits freeze beautifully! Wrap each biscuit individually in plastic wrap or foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to a month, so you can enjoy this tasty Irish treat anytime you want.

Reheating

Reheat frozen or leftover biscuits in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes until warmed through and slightly crisp on the outside. For a quick fix, you can microwave a biscuit for 20-30 seconds, but the oven method helps retain that fresh-baked texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these biscuits without raisins or caraway seeds?

Absolutely! Both raisins and caraway seeds are optional add-ins. Leaving them out will give you a more classic plain soda bread biscuit that's just as delicious and versatile.

What can I use if I don’t have buttermilk?

No buttermilk? No problem. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar into 1 ¼ cups of milk, let it sit for 5 minutes until it curdles slightly, and you have a perfect buttermilk substitute.

Why is it important not to overmix the dough?

Overmixing activates the gluten too much in the flour, which can make your biscuits tough and dense instead of tender and flaky. Gently mixing just until combined ensures a light texture.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

You can, but reduce the added salt slightly since salted butter contains salt already. For this recipe, try using about ½ teaspoon of kosher salt if you use salted butter.

Final Thoughts

Making Spicy Raisin Soda Bread Biscuits from scratch is such a gratifying experience—quick to whip up and full of comforting flavors. Whether you enjoy them fresh out of the oven with butter and jam or paired with your favorite savory dishes, these biscuits bring a warm, homemade touch to the table. I hope you have as much fun making (and eating!) them as I do. Happy baking!