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Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Irish Soda Bread Recipe

By What’s Baking

Rustic Irish Soda Bread offers a crisp, golden crust and tender, slightly sweet interior that pairs perfectly with butter, jam, or hearty stews.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
40 mins
Serves:
1 loaf (12 slices)
A freshly baked round loaf of Irish Soda Bread photographed in soft natural light on a rustic wooden board. The deep golden-brown crust features the traditional cross cut into the top, creating beautiful cracks that reveal the bread's pale interior. Scattered flour dusts the surface, contrasting with the bread's toasted exterior. A linen tea towel and butter dish sit alongside, with a few slices cut to showcase the bread's tender, slightly cakey crumb studded with raisins. Steam visibly rises from the freshly cut surface, suggesting warmth and freshness.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">450g plain flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp bicarbonate of soda</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp caster sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">350ml buttermilk (or 350ml milk mixed with 1 tbsp lemon juice)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">100g raisins or sultanas (optional)</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Baking sheet</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Parchment paper</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Sharp knife</li></ul>
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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Preheat your oven to 200°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dust the paper lightly with flour to prevent sticking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt, and sugar. The bicarbonate of soda acts as the leavening agent when it reacts with the acidic buttermilk, so make sure it's distributed evenly throughout the flour.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>If using raisins, stir them into the dry mixture now, making sure they're coated in flour. This prevents them from clumping together in the dough.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in about two-thirds of the buttermilk. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix gently in a circular motion from the center outward, adding more buttermilk as needed until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough. The dough should be moist but not wet - you may not need all the buttermilk.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently bring it together with floured hands. Avoid kneading the dough as this activates the gluten and will make your bread tough - soda bread should be handled as little as possible for the best texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Shape the dough into a round about 5cm thick. Place it on the prepared baking sheet and use a sharp knife to cut a deep cross on top, going about two-thirds of the way through the dough. This isn't just traditional - it helps the bread cook evenly and releases heat as it bakes.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Dust the top lightly with flour and bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. A good Irish Soda Bread should have a beautiful crisp crust and a soft, slightly dense interior.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool slightly before serving. Irish Soda Bread is best enjoyed warm from the oven with a generous spread of butter, but will keep for 2-3 days wrapped in a clean tea towel. If it becomes stale, it makes excellent toast!</li></ol>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 slice
🔥 Calories: 215 calories
🥑 Fat: 3 g
🧈 Saturated Fat: 1 g
🍞 Carbohydrates: 42 g
🍭 Sugar: 8 g
🍗 Protein: 6 g
🫀 Cholesterol: 5 mg
🧂 Sodium: 310 mg

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

Why do you cut a cross on top of soda bread?

Cutting a cross on soda bread serves multiple purposes: it helps the bread cook evenly by allowing heat into the centre, prevents cracking by releasing steam, and traditionally was thought to "let the fairies out" or ward off evil. It also creates natural breaking points for sharing.

Can I make soda bread without buttermilk?

Yes! If you don't have buttermilk, make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 350ml of regular milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes until slightly thickened. The acidity is essential for reacting with the bicarbonate of soda.

How long does homemade soda bread stay fresh?

Homemade soda bread stays fresh for 2-3 days when wrapped in a clean tea towel at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze sliced bread for up to 3 months. Day-old soda bread makes excellent toast, and slightly stale bread works wonderfully when toasted and buttered.

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