Description
This classic Irish Soda Bread recipe features a simple and quick way to make a traditional, dense bread with a slightly crisp crust. Made with basic pantry ingredients like all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk, this bread requires no yeast or kneading and is perfect to enjoy fresh with butter or your favorite spread.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a baking sheet to prevent the dough from sticking during baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until they are evenly combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the buttermilk and mix until a sticky dough forms. The dough will be wet and slightly sticky, which is expected.
- Shape the Dough: Transfer the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Shape it into a round loaf and use a sharp knife to cut a deep “X” on top, which helps the bread bake evenly.
- Bake: Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the bread turns golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool before slicing. Serve warm with butter or your favorite spread.
Notes
- Using buttermilk is key for the authentic tang and texture of Irish soda bread.
- The vinegar in buttermilk reacts with baking soda to help the bread rise.
- Do not overmix the dough; stirring until just combined is best to keep the bread tender.
- Scoring the top with an “X” is traditional and helps the bread cook evenly.
- Serve fresh on the day it’s baked for the best texture and flavor.
