Irish Soda Bread Recipe
This is the best authentic Irish recipe for traditional soda bread. It features a dense yet tender crumb and a signature golden crust, achieved by frequent basting with a buttermilk-butter mixture. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or a cozy Sunday dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (10-12 slices)
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
All-purpose flour – 4 cups
Granulated sugar – 4 tbsp
Baking soda – 1 tsp
Baking powder – 1 tbsp
Salt – 1/2 tsp
Softened butter – 1/2 cup
Melted butter – 1/4 cup (for basting)
Buttermilk – 1 1/4 cups (divided)
Large egg – 1
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a large baking sheet.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
Add the 1/2 cup of softened butter, 1 cup of the buttermilk, and the egg to the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead briefly (about 8-10 times) just until the dough is smooth. Do not overwork.
Shape the dough into a tight round loaf and place it onto the prepared baking sheet.
In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup melted butter and the remaining 1/4 cup buttermilk.
Generously brush the entire loaf with the buttermilk mixture.
Using a sharp knife, cut a deep ‘X’ into the top of the loaf (about 1 inch deep).
Bake for 45 minutes. Every 15 minutes, remove the loaf briefly to brush more of the buttermilk mixture over the top.
The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Notes
• Use cold buttermilk for the best rise.
• Don’t skip the ‘X’ on top; it allows heat to penetrate the center of the dense loaf.
• If the crust browns too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes.
• Let the bread cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to prevent it from becoming gummy.
Find it online: https://sweetcraftrecipes.com/irish-soda-bread-recipe/