Classic Traditional Irish Soda Bread: Easy Homemade Recipe
A simple, traditional Irish soda bread that requires no yeast or kneading. Made with just four ingredients, this quick bread offers a tender, tangy crumb and a golden crust, perfect for any meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (8 servings) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 450g (3 ½ cups) self-rising flour (or 450g all-purpose flour + 2 tsp baking powder + 1 tsp salt)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 450ml (1 ¾ cups) cold buttermilk
- Optional: 100g raisins or 1 tsp caraway seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) and place a rack in the center.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and dust lightly with flour.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the cold buttermilk.
- Mix quickly and gently with a fork or hands until the dough is just moistened and shaggy; do not overmix or knead.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it into a round loaf about 5cm (2 inches) thick.
- Transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet.
- Score a deep cross into the top of the loaf with a sharp knife, cutting almost to the bottom.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
- Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Do not overmix the dough to avoid a tough texture. Use cold buttermilk to help create steam pockets for a lighter crumb. If self-rising flour is unavailable, substitute with all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. The cross cut helps the bread expand evenly and ensures the center cooks through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of th
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 1
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
Keywords: Irish soda bread, traditional bread, quick bread, no yeast bread, St. Patrick's Day, homemade bread, easy baking