Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Learn how to make authentic homemade Irish Soda Bread with this easy baking recipe. This traditional bread requires no yeast or proofing - just mix, shape and bake! The best Irish Soda Bread features a crisp crust, tender interior, and comes together in less than an hour for a delicious accompaniment to any meal.

Difficulty:

Beginner

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

40 mins

Serves:

1 loaf (12 slices)

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>

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

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>

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>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Irish Soda Bread?

Traditional Irish Soda Bread requires plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt, buttermilk, and sometimes sugar. Our recipe includes optional raisins or sultanas for sweetness. The bicarbonate of soda reacts with buttermilk's acidity to create the bread's rise without yeast.

How to cook Irish Soda Bread at home?

Learn how to cook Irish Soda Bread by mixing dry ingredients, creating a well for buttermilk, gently forming a dough without kneading, shaping into a round, cutting a cross on top, and baking at 200°C for 30-40 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding when tapped. The minimal handling creates the perfect texture in this traditional quick bread.

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.

Want to try something else in ...