Easy Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Make a simple, rustic loaf of Irish soda bread using just four main ingredients. This quick bread requires no yeast and is perfect for beginners.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 servings)
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Lightly flour a baking sheet.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the buttermilk all at once.
- Mix the ingredients quickly with a wooden spoon or your hands until just combined into a soft, slightly sticky dough. Do not overmix.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently shape it into a round loaf, about 1 1/2 inches thick.
- Place the loaf on the prepared baking sheet. Cut a deep cross into the top of the loaf, cutting almost to the bottom.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, substitute 1/4 cup of the buttermilk with molasses.
- If you do not have buttermilk, mix 1 3/4 cups of regular milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- A crispier crust results from baking on a preheated baking stone or cast-iron skillet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 1
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 47
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
- Cholesterol: 5