Soda Bread with Irish Butter Recipe
Traditional Irish soda bread made with simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. This quick bread requires no yeast, resulting in a tender, golden crust with a soft, moist crumb. Served warm with creamy Irish butter, it’s a comforting and authentic accompaniment for any meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1¾ cups buttermilk, well-shaken
For Serving
- Irish butter, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Baking Surface: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and fine sea salt until they are well combined to distribute the leavening agent evenly.
- Form Dough: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the well-shaken buttermilk. Gently mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon or your hand just until a shaggy dough forms. Be careful not to overwork the dough to keep the bread tender.
- Shape the Loaf: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it briefly, only enough to bring it together into a cohesive ball. Shape the dough into a round loaf about 2 inches thick and transfer it onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Score and Bake: Using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross about ½ inch deep into the top of the loaf. This helps the bread expand while baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool and Serve: Transfer the baked loaf to a wire rack. Allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Serve the soda bread warm or at room temperature with a generous spread of Irish butter.
Notes
- Use well-shaken buttermilk to ensure it mixes evenly with dry ingredients.
- Do not overmix or knead the dough to prevent a tough texture; gentle handling yields the best crumb.
- The cross cut on top is traditional and helps the bread bake evenly.
- Allow the loaf to cool properly to set the crumb and prevent crumbling when slicing.
- Irish butter adds authentic flavor but any high-quality unsalted butter can be used as an alternative.
Keywords: Irish soda bread, traditional bread, quick bread, buttermilk bread, baking soda bread, homemade bread, Irish butter
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