Description
Irish Soda Bread is a traditional quick bread made with baking soda instead of yeast, creating a rustic loaf with a crisp crust and soft interior. This easy Irish Soda Bread recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and is ready in under an hour, making it perfect for beginners and delicious served warm with butter, jam, or alongside soups and stews
Ingredients
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4 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional)
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4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
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1 ¾ cups buttermilk
- ½ cup raisins or currants (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar if using.
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Add the cold cubed butter and rub it into the flour mixture with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
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Stir in the raisins or currants if using.
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Gradually pour in the buttermilk while mixing with a spoon until a soft dough forms.
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Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead just a few times until it comes together.
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Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on the prepared baking sheet.
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Using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross on the top of the loaf.
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Bake for 35–40 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
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Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing and serving
Notes
Avoid over-kneading the dough, as it can make the bread tough.If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar with 1 cup milk and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.The cross cut on top helps the bread bake evenly and gives the loaf its traditional look.For extra flavor, you can add shredded cheese, herbs, or seeds to the dough
