Go Back
–+ servings
Irish Soda Bread

Delicious Irish Soda Bread Recipe: Simple, Versatile, and Perfect for Any Meal

Irish soda bread with buttermilk
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine Irish
Servings 8
Calories 181 kcal

Equipment

  • 8-inch cast iron pan or equivalent-sized pan

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3 tablespoons cold butter (use salted or unsalted)
  • 1 cup + 3 tablespoons cold whole buttermilk, shaken
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • extra butter for greasing the pan
  • extra flour for dusting the workspace

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease the bottom and sides of the pan with the extra butter. Set aside.
  • Whisk the flour, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.
  • Grate cold butter into the flour mixture, stirring occasionally to prevent clumping. Alternatively, you can use a pastry cutter or blender in the place of a grater. Stir to distribute the butter throughout the flour.
  • Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the buttermilk and egg. Stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened. If the mixture is too dry, add a little extra buttermilk.
  • Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Use your hands to form a round mound and place it into the prepared pan.
  • Use a knife to cut a deep X into the top of the bread.
  • Bake for 35 minutes or until the bread is lightly browned on top and an inserted toothpick or tester comes out clean. Remove from the pan and then cool on a wire rack. Brush melted butter across the top if desired.

Notes

Baking Soda

Baking soda begins to lose potency after about six months once the box is opened, while an unopened container lasts up to three years. To check if your baking soda is still effective, perform a simple test: add 1/4 teaspoon to 2 teaspoons of vinegar. If it foams vigorously, it’s still good to use; if the reaction is weak or nonexistent, it’s time to replace it. For this recipe, use only fresh baking soda for the best results.

Buttermilk

Shake the buttermilk because it can separate while sitting.

Add-Ins

Here are ideas for Irish soda bread add-ins.

Dried Fruit

Add 1/2 cup of dried fruit such as raisins, cherries, cranberries, or blueberries to enhance this bread's taste. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar to sweeten the bread.

Herbs

Add two tablespoons of fresh herbs, such as rosemary, to the dry ingredients and whisk. Other delicious herbs in this bread include thyme, basil, and fennel. If using dried herbs, add 1 tablespoon instead.

Cheese

Add 4 ounces (about 1 cup) of grated cheese, such as cheddar, to this bread.

Onions

Finely chop and saute a large onion in olive oil. Add the cooked onions to the flour mixture just before adding the buttermilk.

Seeds

Caraway and fennel seeds are delicious in this bread. Add 2 teaspoons of your chosen seed to the dry ingredients and whisk.

Oatmeal

Add 2 tablespoons oatmeal to the flour mixture and whisk.
 
 
 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 181kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 434mgPotassium: 89mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 221IUCalcium: 48mgIron: 2mg
Keyword buttermilk soda bread, irish soda bread, irish soda bread recipe, soda bread, st. patricks day bread
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!