If you’re looking for an easy Irish soda bread recipe that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, look no further! This traditional Irish soda bread recipe is a must-try, and it’s made with simple ingredients you likely have in your pantry.
With a crispy crust and a soft, tender inside, this bread is sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re making it for the first time or you’re a seasoned baker, this recipe is foolproof.
Grab your baking soda and a large bowl, and let’s get started on making the best traditional Irish soda bread you’ve ever had!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
It’s Quick and Easy: This bread is a type of quick bread, meaning it doesn’t require yeast. You can whip up a round loaf in less than an hour, making it perfect for a last-minute bake.
Uses Simple Ingredients: You likely have everything you need for this authentic Irish soda bread already at home—no need for fancy ingredients!
Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: This traditional soda bread is the perfect addition to your St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The fresh bread pairs beautifully with a hearty Irish stew or simply slathered with Irish butter.
No Yeast Needed: Unlike yeast bread, this recipe uses sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as its leavening agent, which reacts with the lactic acid in buttermilk to make the bread rise.
Great for Beginners: Even if you’re new to baking, this recipe is easy to follow and yields delicious results every time. It’s a great recipe to start with if you’re exploring Irish recipes.
Tips On How To Make Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe
- Use Cold Butter: Cutting cold butter into the flour mixture ensures that your soda bread will have a tender crumb.
- Don’t Overmix: The dough should be shaggy and slightly sticky. Overmixing can lead to tough bread.
- Score the Top: Use a sharp knife or serrated knife to make a deep cross on the top of the loaf. This helps the bread rise evenly.
- Use Fresh Baking Soda: Make sure your baking soda is fresh to ensure proper rising of the bread.
- Bake Until Golden Brown: The bread is done when it’s golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
FAQ
What is Traditional Irish Soda Bread?
Traditional Irish soda bread is a simple, rustic bread made without yeast. It gets its name from bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), which is used as the leavening agent instead of yeast.
Can I Use Regular Milk Instead of Buttermilk?
While you can use regular milk, it’s better to stick with real buttermilk or make your own by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of milk. This will mimic the lactic acid found in buttermilk and help with the bread’s texture.
How Do I Store Irish Soda Bread?
Wrap the bread in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
What Type of Flour Should I Use?
Traditional recipes often call for a mix of white flour and whole wheat flour. You can also use pastry flour for a softer texture, but all-purpose flour works perfectly too.
Can I Add Mix-Ins?
Yes! You can add caraway seeds, orange zest, or even raisins to the dough for added flavor.
Tools you may need
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Ingredients you will need
All-Purpose Flour; provides the structure for the bread, giving it a firm yet tender crumb.
Baking Soda; the leavening agent that reacts with the buttermilk to help the bread rise without yeast.
Salt; balances the flavors and enhances the overall taste of the bread.
Buttermilk; reacts with the baking soda to create a rise and adds a tangy flavor to the bread.
Cold Butter; cut into the flour to create a tender crumb and a slight richness in the bread.
Optional Add-Ins: Caraway Seeds, Orange Zest, Currants, or Raisins; these ingredients add extra flavor and texture to the bread, allowing you to customize it to your taste.
How To Make Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F and adjust the rack to the upper-middle position. This will ensure that your bread bakes evenly and develops a golden brown crust.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups of bleached King Arthur Unbleached all-purpose flour, 1 cup of cake flour, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons of cream of tartar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of sea salt. These basic ingredients form the foundation of this classic Irish soda bread and give it the right texture and flavor.
Step 3: Work 2 tablespoons of softened salted butter into the dry ingredients with a fork or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter adds richness and helps create a tender crumb, making this the perfect bread to enjoy with a hearty meal or on its own.
Step 4: Add 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk to the flour mixture. Stir with a fork until the dough comes together into a sticky dough. This buttermilk mixture is crucial as it reacts with the baking soda, acting as the leavening agent in the bread.
Step 5: Turn the sticky dough onto a flour-coated work surface and gently knead it just until it becomes cohesive and bumpy. Be careful not to over-knead the dough; a couple of turns should be enough. Over-kneading will develop too much gluten, resulting in a tough loaf.
Step 6: Pat the dough into a ball, shaping it into a round loaf about 6 inches in diameter and 2 inches high. This shape helps the bread bake evenly, ensuring a soft interior and a crispy crust.
Preparing to Bake
Step 7: Place the dough on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet or in a cast-iron pan if you have one. Using a knife, cut a cross shape into the center of the dough, going about 1/4 inch deep. This cross is not just traditional; it also allows the bread to expand and bake more evenly in the oven.
Step 8: Bake the bread in your preheated oven until it’s golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, or the internal temperature reaches 190°F. This should take around 40 to 45 minutes. Baking in a cast-iron skillet or a Dutch oven will give the bread a beautiful crust and help maintain even heat.
Step 9: Once done, remove the bread from the oven and immediately brush the top of the loaf with 1 tablespoon of melted butter. This butter mixture adds a lovely sheen and extra flavor to the crust.
Step 10: Allow the bread to cool to room temperature on a wire rack, which should take about 30 to 40 minutes. Cooling is important as it allows the center of the bread to finish cooking and set properly.
Step 11: Slice and enjoy your freshly baked bread! Whether you enjoy it with a spread of Irish butter, serve it alongside a meal, or save some for the next day, this bread is sure to become one of your favorite easy bread recipes.
This authentic recipe is a fantastic example of traditional Irish bread, combining simple ingredients to create a homemade bread that’s as delicious as it is easy to make. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any day you’re in the mood for a warm, comforting loaf.
Storage Ideas for Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe
- Bread Box: After the bread cools, wrap it in a clean, dry towel and put it in a bread box. Keep the bread box in a cool, dry place.
- Plastic Bag: If you don’t have a bread box, you can use a plastic bag. Wrap the bread in a clean, dry cloth first, then put it in the bag. Seal the bag tightly and store it in a cool, dry spot.
- Freezer: You can also freeze the bread for later. Let it cool completely, then place it in an airtight container or a freezer bag. Label it with the date, and it will last in the freezer for up to three months.
- Sliced and Toasted: Another option is to slice and toast the bread before storing it. Put the slices in an airtight container or plastic bag. This makes it easy to grab a quick breakfast or snack later.
Remember to check the bread occasionally to ensure that it is still fresh. If you notice any signs of mold or spoilage, discard the bread.
For even more delicious, homemade treats, explore our favorite cozy recipes below;
- Easy Homemade Sauerkraut Recipe (how to make +video)
- Homemade Sourdough Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread
- NO Fail Sourdough Starter (how to make + video)
- Easy Oven Tender Beef Roast + Video (how to make)
We hope you enjoy this Irish Soda Bread as much as we do. If you make this recipe, please tag us @themoderndaycottage on Instagram and leave a comment below.
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Happy Baking!
Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups bleached King Arthur Unbleached all-purpose flour *plus more for your work surface
- 1 cup cake flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
- 3 tablespoons salted butter 2 tablespoons softened + 1 tablespoon melted
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
How To Make
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and adjust the rack to the upper-middle position. This will ensure that your bread bakes evenly and develops a golden brown crust.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups of bleached King Arthur Unbleached all-purpose flour, 1 cup of cake flour, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons of cream of tartar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of sea salt. These basic ingredients form the foundation of this classic Irish soda bread and give it the right texture and flavor.
- Work 2 tablespoons of softened salted butter into the dry ingredients with a fork or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter adds richness and helps create a tender crumb, making this the perfect bread to enjoy with a hearty meal or on its own.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk to the flour mixture. Stir with a fork until the dough comes together into a sticky dough. This buttermilk mixture is crucial as it reacts with the baking soda, acting as the leavening agent in the bread.
- Turn the sticky dough onto a flour-coated work surface and gently knead it just until it becomes cohesive and bumpy. Be careful not to over-knead the dough; a couple of turns should be enough. Over-kneading will develop too much gluten, resulting in a tough loaf.
- Pat the dough into a ball, shaping it into a round loaf about 6 inches in diameter and 2 inches high. This shape helps the bread bake evenly, ensuring a soft interior and a crispy crust.
- Place the dough on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet or in a cast-iron pan if you have one. Using a knife, cut a cross shape into the center of the dough, going about 1/4 inch deep. This cross is not just traditional; it also allows the bread to expand and bake more evenly in the oven.
- Bake the bread in your preheated oven until it’s golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, or the internal temperature reaches 190°F. This should take around 40 to 45 minutes. Baking in a cast-iron skillet or a Dutch oven will give the bread a beautiful crust and help maintain even heat.
- Once done, remove the bread from the oven and immediately brush the top of the loaf with 1 tablespoon of melted butter. This butter mixture adds a lovely sheen and extra flavor to the crust.
- Allow the bread to cool to room temperature on a wire rack, which should take about 30 to 40 minutes. Cooling is important as it allows the center of the bread to finish cooking and set properly.
- Slice and enjoy your freshly baked bread! Whether you enjoy it with a spread of Irish butter, serve it alongside a meal, or save some for the next day, this bread is sure to become one of your favorite easy bread recipes.
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