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Traditional Irish Soda Bread

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A quick and easy traditional Irish soda bread recipe with a golden crust and tender crumb, perfect for cozy gatherings and simple comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
  • 1¾ cups (420ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • Optional add-ins: raisins or currants, caraway seeds

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place your cast-iron skillet or baking sheet inside to heat up while you prepare the dough.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar (if using) until well combined.
  3. Pour in buttermilk and melted butter. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until the dough begins to come together. If too dry, add a splash more buttermilk.
  4. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead lightly 3-4 times to form a round loaf. Avoid over-kneading.
  5. Transfer the loaf to parchment paper or a floured baking sheet. Score a deep ‘X’ about ½ inch deep across the top with a sharp knife.
  6. Place the loaf onto the preheated skillet or baking sheet. Bake for 30–35 minutes, rotating halfway, until crust is deep golden and a skewer inserted comes out clean.
  7. Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Let rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Do not over-mix or knead the dough to keep it tender. Use fresh baking soda for best rise. Preheat baking surface for a crisp crust. Score the dough deeply to allow even rising. Let bread cool completely before slicing to avoid gummy texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Irish soda bread, traditional soda bread, quick bread, buttermilk bread, easy bread recipe, homemade bread, rustic bread