Irish Soda Bread is a traditional bread from Ireland that has been enjoyed for centuries. It’s a simple bread made with just a few ingredients, including flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. The bread has a unique texture and taste that is both hearty and satisfying, making it a popular choice for breakfast, lunch, or as an accompaniment to a hearty stew or soup. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Irish Soda Bread, including its history, ingredients, and how to make it at home.

History of Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread is a staple of Irish cuisine that has been around for centuries. The bread was first made in the mid-19th century, when baking soda became widely available in Ireland. Before that, traditional Irish bread was made with a mixture of wheat and barley flour, which was leavened with sour milk or buttermilk.

The addition of baking soda to the dough allowed the bread to rise more quickly, which was a great advantage to Irish families who did not have a lot of time or resources for baking. The Irish Soda Bread was also a good way to use up leftover buttermilk, which was a common ingredient in Irish cooking.

Some variations of Irish Soda Bread may include additional ingredients such as sugar, raisins, or caraway seeds, but these are not traditional ingredients. This is not the traditional recipe but it is close and it is so delicious.

How to Make Irish Soda Bread

Making Irish Soda Bread is simple and straightforward. Here is a recipe to try at home:

Tools:

• Large Mixing Bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Liquid Measuring Cup
• Pastry Blender
• Rubber Spatula or Wooden Spoon
• Pastry Mat
• Parchment Paper
• Cast Iron Skillet or Baking Sheet
• Paring Knife
• Pastry Brush

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cake flour
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cut into pieces
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 Tablespoon melted butter

Instructions:

Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat over to 400 degrees F.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cake flour, sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.

Cut in cold butter to flour mixture, using a pastry blender, or clean hands.

Work the butter into the dry ingredients until it is completely incorporated creating a super fine crumb.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.

Then add buttermilk. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, mix the ingredients together by stirring from the center outward until a dough forms.

Turn out onto a lightly floured pastry mat and pat together to form a 6 inch round.

Place dough onto parchment lined cast iron skillet or baking sheet.

Using a paring knife cut a small (x) into the top of the bread dough.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until center is no longer doughy and the top is golden brown.

Remove from oven and brush with 2 tablespoon of melted butter.

Slice and serve. It is great with your favorite jam or jelly!

Tips:

1. Don’t overmix: One of the essential things to remember when making Irish soda bread is not to overmix the dough. Overmixing can lead to a tough and chewy bread, which is not desirable. Mix the ingredients just until they come together, and then shape the dough.
2. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes.
3. If you don’t have cake flour you can make your own. To make one cup of cake flour, combine 14 tablespoons of all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Whisk the two together and then sift at least once. I find it easier to start with one cup of all-purpose and then remove two tablespoons of it, replacing them with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.

Irish Soda Bread is a delicious and easy-to-make bread that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you are looking for a quick snack or a hearty side dish for your meal, Irish Soda Bread is sure to satisfy. So why not try making your own Irish Soda Bread today and experience the taste of Ireland in your own kitchen!

This is Renee “Doing what I Love”

Pair this bread with some Delicious Corned Beef and Cabbage for a St. Patrick’s Day Feast!

Irish Soda Bread

Renee Dalton

Irish Soda Bread is a traditional bread from Ireland that has been enjoyed for centuries. It's a simple bread made with just a few ingredients, including flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. 

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Bread

Cuisine Irish

Servings 16

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cake flour
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 ½ tsp cream of tartar
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter cold, cut into pieces
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 tbsp butter melted

Instructions

 

• Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat over to 400 degrees.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cake flour, sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
• Cut in cold butter to flour mixture, using a pastry blender, or clean hands.
• Work the butter into the dry ingredients until it is completely incorporated creating a super fine crumb.
• Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
• Then add buttermilk. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, mix the ingredients together by stirring from the center outward until a dough forms.
• Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and pat together to form a 6 inch round.
• Place dough onto parchment lined cast iron skillet or baking sheet.
• Using a paring knife cut a small (x) into the top of the bread dough.
• Bake for 35-40 minutes or until center is no longer doughy and the top is golden brown.
• Remove from oven and brush with 1 Tablespoon of melted butter.
• Slice and serve. It is great with your favorite jam or jelly!