Irish Soda Bread
This Traditional Irish Soda Bread is a rustic, no-yeast quick bread made with just flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. With its crusty golden exterior and tender, dense crumb, it comes together in under an hour and pairs perfectly with butter, soups, or classic Irish mains.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- baking sheet or cast iron skillet
- Whisk
- Sharp Knife For scoring the top
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1.75 cups cold buttermilk
- 1 tbsp melted butter (optional, for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly flour a baking sheet or cast-iron skillet.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center.
- Pour cold buttermilk into the well. Stir gently with a fork or hands until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently shape into a round loaf about 1.5 inches thick. Transfer to prepared pan. Cut a deep ½-inch "X" into the top.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped. Brush with melted butter if desired.
- Wrap the hot loaf in a clean tea towel and rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Avoid overworking the dough to keep the crumb tender. The deep "X" cut on top helps the thick loaf bake evenly. Wrap the loaf in a clean tea towel after baking to slightly soften the crust for easier slicing.