Soda Bread with Irish Butter (Printable)
Rustic Irish loaf baked to golden perfection, ideal warm with creamy Irish butter.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - 1¾ cups buttermilk, well-shaken
→ To Serve
05 - Irish butter, for serving
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly incorporated.
03 - Create a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour in the buttermilk. Mix gently with a wooden spoon or your hand just until a shaggy dough forms. Avoid overworking the dough.
04 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead briefly only until it comes together. Shape into a round loaf approximately 2 inches thick. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross pattern into the top of the loaf about ½ inch deep. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
06 - Transfer loaf to a wire rack and cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature with Irish butter.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- From zero to fresh bread in under an hour, perfect for sudden comfort cravings
- The texture is incredible outside, tender inside, with a subtle tang that makes every slice memorable
02 -
- Overworking the dough makes it tough, handle it minimally and with confidence
- The cross cut isnt decorative, it helps the heat penetrate the center of the loaf
03 -
- If your buttermilk is old or thin, add a tablespoon of lemon juice to ensure proper activation
- The bread is best eaten the same day but makes exceptional toast the next morning