Irish Soda Bread is a beloved staple of Irish heritage, known for its simplicity, wholesome ingredients, and delightful flavour. Perfect for any time of the day, this recipe will guide you through making the perfect traditional Irish Soda Bread, complete with a helpful video demonstration.
Recipe: Perfect Irish Soda Bread
| Ingredient | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Plain white flour | 250g | about 2 cups |
| Plain wholemeal flour | 250g | about 2 cups |
| Porridge oats | 100g | about 1 cup |
| Bicarbonate of soda | 1 tsp | 1 tsp |
| Salt | 1 tsp | 1 tsp |
| Butter, cut in pieces | 25g | about 1 tbsp |
| Buttermilk | 500ml | about 2 cups |
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C and dust a baking sheet with flour. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then rub in the butter. Pour in the buttermilk and mix it in quickly with a table knife, then bring the dough together very lightly with your fingertips (handle it very, very gently). Now shape it into a flat, round loaf measuring 20cm/8in in diameter.
- Put the loaf on the baking sheet and score a deep cross in the top. (Traditionally, this lets the fairies out, but it also helps the bread to cook through.) Bake for 30-35 minutes until the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. If it isn’t ready after this time, turn it upside down on the baking sheet and bake for a few minutes more.
- Transfer to a wire rack, cover with a clean tea towel (this keeps the crust nice and soft) and leave to cool. To serve, break into quarters, then break or cut each quarter in half to make 8 wedges or slices – or simply slice across. Eat very fresh for the best flavour and texture.
How to Store Irish Soda Bread
Store your soda bread wrapped in a clean tea towel or in a bread bag at room temperature. This will keep the crust soft and the bread fresh for up to two days. Avoid refrigeration as it can dry the bread out quickly.
Can You Freeze Irish Soda Bread?
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Yes, you can freeze Irish Soda Bread. Slice it first, then wrap the slices tightly in cling film or foil and place in an airtight container or freezer bag. It will keep well for up to three months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the oven.
Why Is My Irish Soda Bread Dense?
If your soda bread turns out dense, it could be due to overmixing the dough or using expired bicarbonate of soda. Mix the dough lightly and handle it gently to keep the bread light and tender. Also, ensure your baking soda is fresh for the best rise.
Experience Authentic Irish Food in Person
Learn to bake authentic Irish scones and bread in a local home in Galway. This is a wonderful way to connect with Irish food culture and bring a real skill home with you.
Book: Traditional Irish Homemade Baking Scones and Bread class in Galway
For more delicious Irish baking inspiration, explore our Irish soda bread recipe and Chris’s Traditional Irish Soda Bread. If you enjoy scones, don’t miss the Irish Soda Scones classic version or try a sweeter twist with our Homemade Irish Soda Bread with Raisins.
Pair your soda bread with hearty dishes like our traditional Irish stew recipe or explore more of traditional Irish cooking to complete your authentic Irish meal experience.
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majella gilley
Thursday 1st of February 2024
Jamie Oliver, I am Irish & that is not Irish soda bread omg,
Joan LEMOINE
Saturday 24th of June 2023
I would love to get the recipe for carrot and potato soup that I ate in Ireland recently. It was one of my favorite meals. Thank you!
Kate Pedersen
Monday 13th of February 2023
Hello there. I would love to make Irish Soda Bread but I am Celiac. Is there any hope of making ot gluten free.
J.Pettit
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
The Irish soda bread recipe is in grams do not know how to convert this to teaspoons etc
Lynn K
Sunday 5th of February 2023
250 grams of flour is a scant 2 cups. 100 grams of oats is 3/4 cup. 25 grams of butter is 2 tablespoons. 500 ml of buttermilk is 2 18 cup.
Patrick M McNaney
Sunday 13th of March 2022
ingredients 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour plus additional for work surface 1 cup cake flour ¼ cup sugar 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar 1 ½ teaspoons salt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened, plus 1 tablespoon melted butter for crust 1 ¼ cups buttermilk 1 large egg lightly beaten 1 cup raisins 1 tablespoon caraway seeds optional Instructions Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Work the softened butter into the dry ingredients with a fork or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine the buttermilk and egg with a fork. Add the buttermilk/egg mixture, raisins, and caraway seeds to the flour mixture and stir with a fork just until the dough begins to come together. Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead until the dough becomes cohesive and bumpy, about 12-14 turns. Do not knead dough until smooth; this will result in tough bread. Pat the dough into a round about 6” in diameter and 2” high and place on baking sheet. Use a serrated knife to cut an X in the top of the dough. X should be about 5” long and ¾” deep. Bake until the loaf is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes. If bread is browning too much during baking, cover with a tent of aluminum foil. Remove bread from oven and immediately brush the surface with melted butter. Cool to room temperature, at least 45 minutes. Recipe Notes Recipe from Baking Illustrated.
Lower-protein flours like Gold Medal and Pillsbury work best with this recipe.
Irish Soda Bread (American-Style) - Flecked with raisins and caraway seeds, this Irish Soda Bread recipe is sweet, moist, and tender with a pleasantly crunchy outer crust. | www.worthwhisking.com
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Ron
Monday 5th of January 2026
@Patrick M McNaney, thank you!