Description
This Traditional Irish Soda Bread recipe offers a quick and easy way to enjoy rustic homemade bread with minimal ingredients. Made with simple pantry staples like flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk, this bread is characterized by its dense texture, golden crust, and distinctive cross-cut crust. Perfect for serving warm alongside soups, stews, or butter and jam, this bread captures the authentic taste of Ireland in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups flour (either all white OR half white, half whole wheat)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Wet Ingredients
- 1.5 cups buttermilk (or a little more, if dough seems dry)
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat OR with baking parchment and generously flour it to prevent the bread from sticking.
- Make dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda thoroughly. Slowly pour in the buttermilk while stirring with your fingers until a sticky dough forms.
- Shape bread: Transfer the sticky dough onto the prepared, floured baking sheet. Knead it gently 4-5 times to bring it together, then shape into a disc about 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) in diameter.
- Finish and bake: Dust the top of the bread with a sprinkle of flour. Using a sharp knife, make two deep incisions crossing each other to create a four-leaf clover pattern, cutting almost through the bread. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Allow to cool on a rack before serving warm.
Notes
- Use fresh baking soda for best rising results.
- Buttermilk can be substituted with milk mixed with lemon juice or vinegar as a homemade buttermilk alternative.
- Do not over-knead the dough; minimal kneading keeps the bread tender.
- The cross cut on top helps the bread cook evenly and is a traditional signature of Irish soda bread.
- Serve warm with butter or alongside hearty soups and stews.
