This Irish Soda Bread comes together in about 40 minutes and is baked on a single baking sheet for a quick and easy addition to your dinner table that your family will love!
Ingredients Breakdown
3 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour (420 g)
This is the base of your soda bread. Using unbleached flour gives your bread a lovely, rustic texture that’s just perfect! If you want to experiment, you could always mix in some whole wheat flour for that nutty flavor.3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (3 g)
Just a couple pinches to elevate the flavor. Salt is super important! It’s like the magic dust that brings everything together and makes everything more delicious.3/4 teaspoon baking soda
This is your leavening agent, and it’s essential! It helps your bread rise without needing any yeast, making it a super simple recipe.1 ½ cups buttermilk (337 g)
Buttermilk adds moisture and a lovely tang that balances the bread beautifully. Don’t have any? No worries! Just add a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk, let it sit for about 5 minutes, and you’ve got yourself a substitute!
How to Make Traditional Irish Soda Bread
Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. You want that hot oven for a lovely crust!Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, salt, and baking soda. Whisk those ingredients together until they’re well combined, this step is so satisfying!Make a Well
Using a wooden spoon, create a well in the center of your dry mixture. Think of it like creating a little nest for your buttermilk!Add the Buttermilk
Pour the buttermilk into that well you created. Use your wooden spoon to gently stir the ingredients together, starting from the center and working your way out. The dough will be very shaggy and that’s exactly what we want!Knead the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface, then dump your shaggy dough onto it. Using your hands, knead it gently about four times until it comes together. We’re not looking for perfection here, just a slightly smoother surface. Form the dough into a round loaf shape.Prepare for Baking
Place your loaf on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly sprinkle the top with flour to give it that lovely rustic look. Now for the fun part, using a sharp chef’s knife, score a large X on top of the dough. This helps the bread expand while baking and also gives it that classic soda bread aesthetic.Bake Away!
Transfer your loaf right into the oven and bake for 15 minutes at 450°F. After that, reduce the temperature to 400°F (200°C), rotate your pan 180°, and keep baking for another 25-30 minutes. Your bread is done when it’s deeply golden brown and sounds hollow when you tap it on the bottom.Cool and Serve
Let your masterpiece cool for at least 20 minutes. This is the hardest part! But think of it this way, the smell of warm bread wafting through your home? Totally worth the wait. Serve it warm with a generous pat of Kerrygold Salted Butter for that over-the-top deliciousness. Yum!
If you loved this Traditional Irish Soda Bread, be sure to check out my Condensed Milk Bread or my Cheese Bread!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This bread comes together in under 40 minutes total, and there’s no need to wait for dough to rise. Whether you’re in a hurry to get dinner on the table or just looking to impress your guests, this recipe is a winner!
Minimal Cleanup Required
Just one bowl and one baking sheet! I mean, who doesn’t love minimal cleanup after a fun evening in the kitchen? It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without the hassle.
Affordable Ingredients
The ingredients are affordable and can usually be found in any pantry. This makes it a budget-friendly option that everyone can enjoy!
Versatile for Meal Prep
You can slice this soda bread and toast it the next morning for a quick breakfast or use it as a side for soups and stews. It’s super flexible!
Crowd-Pleaser
Loaded with tons of flavor, the whole family will love this bread. It pairs well with almost any dish, plus, it’s great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Serving Suggestions
What to Serve With This
Traditional Irish Soda Bread is fantastic with a big bowl of beef stew or vegetable soup. You can even dip it in some stew for that extra warmth. Adding a side salad is also a great way to balance it out!
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Store leftover bread wrapped in a clean kitchen towel or in an airtight container at room temperature. It’ll stay fresh for about 2-3 days.
- Freezing: Yes, this bread is freezer-friendly! Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. It keeps well for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply let it thaw and warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
Now, don’t forget to indulge a little! Enjoy this traditional Irish Soda Bread with your favorite family recipes, and get ready for compliments all around. Happy cooking, my friends!
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Easy Traditional Irish Soda Bread
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This delicious Traditional Irish Soda Bread is quick and easy, perfect for any night of the week. Customize with raisins or seeds for added flavor.
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda until combined.
- Create a well in the center of the dry mixture.
- Pour the buttermilk into the well and gently stir the ingredients together until shaggy.
- Lightly flour the work surface, knead the dough gently about four times and form it into a round loaf.
- Place the loaf on the baking sheet, sprinkle the top with flour, and score a large X on top with a knife.
- Bake the loaf for 15 minutes at 450°F, then reduce to 400°F (200°C) and continue baking for another 25-30 minutes.
- Cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
Serve warm with Kerrygold Salted Butter for an extra treat. Store leftovers wrapped in a kitchen towel or in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg