Description
This traditional Irish Soda Bread recipe delivers a simple, hearty loaf with a crisp golden crust and tender crumb. Made with basic pantry staples like flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk, it’s quick to prepare and perfect for enjoying fresh out of the oven or alongside soups and stews.
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 bread from sticking during baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the buttermilk into the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly until a sticky dough forms. Don’t worry if the dough feels wet; that’s normal for soda bread.
- Shape the Dough: Transfer the sticky dough onto the greased baking sheet and gently shape it into a round loaf. Use a sharp knife to score a deep “X” on top of the loaf. This scoring helps the bread cook evenly and gives it a traditional appearance.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the bread for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown. To check doneness, tap the bottom of the loaf; it should sound hollow.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing. Serve with butter or your favorite spread for a delicious treat.
Notes
- Use fresh baking soda for the best rise and texture.
- Buttermilk can be substituted with whole milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar per cup, left to sit for 5 minutes.
- The dough will be sticky; avoid adding too much extra flour to keep the bread tender.
- Scoring the loaf is important; it allows the bread to expand during baking.
- Store leftover bread wrapped in a clean towel at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
