Busy moms, we know you want to put something delicious on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. Traditional Irish Soda Bread offers the perfect solution. This easy-to-make bread comes together in no time and fills your home with comforting aromas. Plus, it makes a delightful addition to any meal or snack.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
This Traditional Irish Soda Bread stands out for several reasons. First, it requires minimal prep work, making it ideal for a busy day. You simply mix a few ingredients, knead the dough lightly, and pop it in the oven.
Second, it bakes quickly. In under an hour, you have fresh bread ready to serve. The kids will love helping with the mixing and shaping, making this a fun family activity. Most importantly, the taste is warm and wholesome, perfect for comforting family meals.
How to Make Traditional Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour (420 g)
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (3 g)
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk (337 g)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- To a large mixing bowl, add the flour, salt, and baking soda. Whisk to combine thoroughly.
- Using a wooden spoon, make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
- Add the buttermilk to the dry ingredients in the “well.”
- Use the wooden spoon to gently stir the ingredients together, starting at the center of the bowl and slowly working out. The dough will be very shaggy, that’s perfect!
- Lightly flour a work surface and pour the dough out onto the surface.
- Use your hands to gently knead the dough about 4 times until it comes together, and the surface is slightly smoother.
- Use the palms of your hands to shape it into a round loaf.
- Transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet. Lightly sprinkle the top with flour.
- Use a sharp chef’s knife to slash a large X on the top of the dough.
- Transfer right away to the oven and bake for 15 minutes at 450°.
- Lower the temperature to 400°F, rotate the pan 180° in the oven, and bake for another 25-30 minutes until deeply golden brown.
- Allow the bread to cool for at least 20 minutes, then serve warm with Kerrygold Salted Butter.
Traditional Irish Soda Bread
An easy-to-make Traditional Irish Soda Bread that bakes quickly and offers comforting flavors, perfect for busy days.
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, salt, and baking soda. Whisk to combine.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
- Add the buttermilk to the dry ingredients in the well.
- Gently stir the ingredients together with a wooden spoon, starting from the center.
- Lightly flour a work surface and pour the dough out onto it.
- Knead the dough gently about 4 times until it comes together.
- Shape it into a round loaf and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly sprinkle the top with flour, and slash a large X on top with a sharp knife.
- Bake for 15 minutes at 450°F, then lower the temperature to 400°F and bake for another 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes before serving warm.
Notes
Customize by adding raisins or caraway seeds. Substitute buttermilk with milk mixed with vinegar or lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
How to Serve
This bread pairs wonderfully with soups, stews, or a simple salad for a complete meal. You can slice it thin for toast in the morning, serve it alongside eggs for breakfast, or enjoy it with butter as a snack. The bread also makes an excellent base for sandwiches or even a cold cut platter.
How to Store
Store any leftover bread in a bread box or a paper bag at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze it. When you’re ready to enjoy again, just thaw it at room temperature. If you want to enjoy it warm, pop the slices in the oven for a few minutes.
Tips and Variations
Feel free to customize this Traditional Irish Soda Bread by adding ingredients like raisins or caraway seeds for a twist on flavor. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can create a substitution by mixing regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Adjust the amount of salt and sugar to suit your family’s taste preferences.
FAQs
1. Can I make this bread ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough a few hours ahead and leave it in the bowl until you’re ready to bake.
2. What if I don’t have buttermilk?
You can use regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for a few minutes to sour before using.
3. How do I know when the bread is done baking?
The bread should be deeply golden brown when finished. You can also tap the bottom; if it sounds hollow, it is done!
Conclusion
Don’t wait to try this Traditional Irish Soda Bread recipe. It’s a wonderful way to bring your family together in the kitchen and enjoy the comfort of homemade bread. Remember to save this recipe for later to make those busy days a little brighter with warm, fresh bread. Happy baking!
