Updated From March 2013 blog post
In this post I share an easy to make Irish Soda Bread Recipe that goes great with most any meal. Keeping it simple and serving this with fresh cool crop vegetables makes it a traditional soda bread. Find the complete recipe that bakes up nice for eating fresh.
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
After watching a few videos and reading up on Irish traditions from the kitchen I am digging in! It appears that using a basic all-purpose flour with coarse whole wheat flour is the key. First, buttermilk is a MUST in most bread recipes found from Europe.
- whole wheat flour
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- salt
- buttermilk
- egg
- rolled oats
This recipe is super easy to mix together by hand. Moreover, it is best to not over mix the dough. There is also a nice paddle attachment that works great for mixing breads as long as it is on low speed. Scroll down to get the printable recipe card including the complete directions.
Irish Soda Bread In The Kitchen
Soon you will find yourself making bread like the Irish because this is so easy and inspiring. I have said in the past how much I love taking photos so here is my collection from this recipe.
Irish Soda Bread Recipe Card
The first time I made this recipe was after a trip to Ireland. We had the honor of having breakfast at the home of an Irish family. The stove was the center piece of the home really. Making baked bread not only warms the soul it heats up the home on a damp cool day. When I look back on the experience I wish I would have taken photos of the stove and the bread. This was 2008 and I don’t think I even had a ‘smart’ phone at the time. I will always cherish the memory of the cozy feeling and scent from that yummy Irish meal that included bread. Finally, lets get to the exact recipe that is below:
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Course: BreadCuisine: American IrishDifficulty: Medium8
servings10
minutes45-50
minutesIngredients
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour (fine ground)
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons of cold butter sliced
1 2/3 cups of buttermilk
2 tablespoons of oats for top (optional)
1 medium egg
Directions
Preheat oven to 425*F
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
Mix together the dry ingredients. Add butter and rub it into the flour mixture with your fingers until it is like crumbs. Do not over mix - it is best to use your hands.
Whisk together egg and buttermilk in a separate bowl
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredient bowl and pour buttermilk mix in. Save a little in the bowl - do not scrap it all out. Mix with wooden spoon - the dough should be sticky before working on a floured counter top. DO NOT KNEED - just mix so it holds together.
Turn dough on the work surface and gently make a 1 1/2 inch thick by 8 inch rough ball
Place shaped dough on cookie sheet before 'blessing' it with a deep cross on top. Poke a hole in the 4 corners of the bread to 'release the fairies' before placing in the oven.
Glaze the bread with the leftover buttermilk before adding oats to the top
Bake bread at 425*F f or 15 minutes before reducing heat to 400*F for the remaining 30 minutes. Remove the bread once it is golden brown.
- Be sure to let the bread rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. I like to wrap mine in foil to keep the heat inside until it is time to serve.
More Fun Bread Recipes
Bread is a treat during the winter months not only because it is tasty but because using the big oven in the house warms it up! I hope you check out these other fun breads I have featured on my website today.
I am serving the recipe above with a cabbage, potato and sausage meal. Over the years I found this bread that doesn’t use yeast tastes best with cool crop vegetable meals and soups. Many of these recipe and how to grow the vegetables are on my website.
Let’s Connect
Thank you for checking out my recipe share today. I would love to hear from you if you tried my recipe or just want to reach out. You can find me on my website.
Happy Spring Irish Bread Making,
Bren
