Description
An authentic, easy-to-follow Irish soda bread recipe that results in a crusty exterior and a tender, buttermilk-infused center. No yeast or rising time required.
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1.5 to 1.75 cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (optional)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a cast-iron skillet.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar if using.
Step 3: If using butter, use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the cold butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 4: Make a well in the center and pour in 1.5 cups of the buttermilk. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
Step 5: Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Gently fold it over itself a few times until it holds together. Do not over-knead.
Step 6: Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on your prepared baking sheet or skillet.
Step 7: Using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross (about 1/2 inch deep) into the top of the loaf.
Step 8: Bake for 35-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Notes
For a softer crust, wrap the hot bread in a clean kitchen towel as it cools. If you don't have buttermilk, use 1.5 cups milk mixed with 1.5 tbsp lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breads & Doughs
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 215 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 2.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
