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Irish Soda Bread Recipe

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4.5 from 140 reviews

Traditional Irish Soda Bread is a quick and hearty bread made with simple pantry ingredients. This classic recipe uses baking soda as a leavening agent instead of yeast, resulting in a dense yet tender loaf with a crisp golden crust. Perfect served alongside soups, stews, or enjoyed with butter and jam, this soda bread is a staple of Irish cuisine and incredibly easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it's hot and ready for baking the bread.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt, mixing thoroughly to distribute the leavening agent and seasoning evenly.
  3. Add Buttermilk: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk. Stir gently until a sticky dough forms, being careful not to overmix.
  4. Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it gently for about 1 minute, just until it becomes smooth and comes together without being overworked.
  5. Shape Loaf: Form the dough into a round loaf shape and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment or lightly floured.
  6. Score Bread: Using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross into the top of the loaf. This helps the bread cook evenly and allows steam to escape.
  7. Bake: Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  8. Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing, which helps maintain its texture.

Notes

  • Use cold buttermilk for best results and a tender crumb.
  • Do not over-knead the dough to keep the bread light.
  • The deep cross on top is traditional and assists with even baking.
  • Soda bread is best eaten fresh but can be toasted the next day.
  • For a sweeter bread, add currants or raisins to the dough.

Find it online: https://mealsbykate.com/irish-soda-bread-recipe/