No more waiting for the dough to rise with this quick and easy Irish soda bread recipe. With step-by-step photos, a complete video tutorial, and lots of helpful tips, you’ll be able to bake the most beautiful breads, crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful on the inside, right out of the oven. This recipe can be made in almost any skillet, has no fermentation time, and has many variations, including adding a layer of raw sugar for a sweet crunch.
What is soda bread?
Soda bread is a classic Irish quick bread known for its rustic appearance, zero rise time, crunchy outside, soft inside, slightly buttery, and slightly sweet taste. Irish soda bread is made by mixing a few basic ingredients like flour, baking powder, salt, and buttermilk, shaping the dough into a round loaf, and baking it until golden brown. Baking powder reacts with sour buttermilk to create carbon dioxide bubbles, creating a light, soft crumb without the need for yeast.
Why you’ll love Irish Bread?
EVERYDAY INGREDIENTS; Using just a handful of basic ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, and buttermilk, soda bread is made from staples you probably already have on hand.
NO YEAST REQUIRED; Perfect for those new to baking or afraid of using yeast, soda bread is a foolproof homemade bread option that anyone can master.
SO QUICK AND EASY; Irish Soda Bread is a simple bread that requires minimal preparation and no rise time, making it easy to make whenever you want.
ADAPTABLE: Traditional soda bread is delicious on its own, but you can customize it to suit your tastes by adding ingredients like raisins, nuts, seeds, and herbs.
HEARTY TEXTURE: The combination of baking powder and buttermilk creates the unique texture of soda bread, which is dense yet soft with a pleasant crunch on the outside.
GOES WITH EVERYTHING; Soda bread can be enjoyed in various ways, from accompanying hearty stews to being toasted and slathered with butter and jam for breakfast or as a snack.
Irish Soda Bread ingredients:
Granulated sugar; A small amount of sugar adds a subtle sweetness to the bread to balance out the buttermilk and gives the dough a nice brown color as it bakes.
Buttermilk or kefir; Buttermilk or kefir provides the acid that reacts with the baking powder, creating carbon dioxide bubbles that help the bread rise. It also adds flavor and moisture to the dough. Although you can use buttermilk substitutes, this recipe is best made with real buttermilk.
Flour; All-purpose flour is the base of the dough and gives structure and volume to the bread. Be sure to accurately measure the flour using a scale (recommended) or a spoon and spirit level to avoid adding too much flour as this can make the bread dense.
Egg; Eggs are optional because they’re not traditional, but they add extra richness, moisture, and structure to the bread.
Baking soda; This is a leavening agent found in soda bread that reacts with the sour buttermilk to create carbon dioxide bubbles that help the bread rise.
Butter; Cut cubes of cold butter into the flour mixture to form pockets of fat that soften the bread and create a crispy texture. It also adds richness and flavor to the dough. Use unsalted butter or reduce the salt content of the recipe.
Table salt; Salt enhances the flavor of bread and balances the sweetness of sugar. It also strengthens the gluten within the dough and contributes to the structure of the bread.
Variations on the soda bread recipe
Irish Soda Bread is a versatile recipe that can be adapted in many ways to suit different tastes and preferences. Feel free to mix and match ingredients to put your own spin on this classic Irish bread. Here are some ideas:
Raisin Soda Bread: Add a sweet, fruity touch to traditional soda bread by mixing 1 cup of raisins or currants into the dough. This variation is often referred to as “spotted dog” or “balm black” and it is this variation that I will be sharing with you today.
Multigrain Soda Bread: Various grains and seeds such as oats, wheat germ, flaxseed, and sunflower seeds are added to the dough to give it texture and nutrition.
Whole Wheat Soda Bread: Replacing half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour will give it a nuttier flavor and increase fiber.
Cheese and Herb Soda Bread: For hearty, aromatic bread, mix grated cheese and chopped herbs like chives, parsley, and rosemary into the dough.
Savory Soda Bread: Add ingredients like cooked bacon, caramelized onions, garlic, and grated cheese to the dough to add flavor that pairs well with soups and stews.
Make Small Loaves: You can divide this dough into as many loaves as you like and shorten the baking time as needed. Bake to internal temperature of 190°F.
Sweet Soda Bread: Increasing the sugar in the recipe and adding ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange peel makes for a sweet version that’s perfect for breakfast or tea time.
Gluten-Free Soda Bread: I haven’t personally tried making this recipe with gluten-free flour, but I imagine a 1:1 baking flour like Bob’s Red Mill might work well.
make Irish Soda Bread
Step 1: Let the material dry. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Step 2: Buttermilk. Combine buttermilk and eggs in a liquid measuring cup.
Step 3: Cut the butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, add the butter to the flour until pea-sized crumbs form. (I start with a cookie cutter and finish with my fingers). Stir in raisins or dried cranberries, if desired.
Step 4: Add buttermilk. Make a well in the center. Pour the cooled buttermilk and egg mixture into the well and mix with a stiff spatula or wooden spoon until the dough is moist and begins to come together.
Step 5: Shape into a ball. Spray your hands with nonstick spray and sprinkle with flour. Place the dough on your work surface and quickly form it into a fuzzy ball, kneading lightly if necessary. If desired, sprinkle with 1 to 2 tablespoons of raw sugar.
Step 6: Use a knife to cut a large 1/2 deep “X” in the center of the top.
