Description
Irish Soda Bread is a classic, simple, and hearty bread that’s perfect for any meal. Made with just a few ingredients, it’s a quick and easy bread that doesn’t require yeast or long rising times. Its slightly tangy flavor, dense texture, and golden crust make it a wonderful addition to soups, stews, or as a side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk (or substitute with regular milk and 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar)
- 2 tbsp sugar (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
- 1 tbsp melted butter (optional, for a richer flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar (if using).
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and slowly pour in the buttermilk, mixing as you go. Use a wooden spoon or your hands to gently mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it gently for about 1-2 minutes, just until it comes together. Avoid overworking the dough.
- Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Using a sharp knife, score an “X” into the top of the dough, about 1/4 inch deep. This helps the bread cook evenly and gives it its classic appearance.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Let the bread cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy with butter, jam, or alongside your favorite Irish dishes!
Notes
- The dough will be very sticky, so don’t be afraid to flour your hands or the surface when working with it.
- For a softer crust, you can brush the top of the bread with melted butter right after baking.
- Traditional Irish soda bread does not contain eggs, so it’s suitable for vegans if you omit the butter or use a plant-based butter alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/8th of the loaf)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg