Traditional Irish Soda Bread [1 Hour Bread Recipe] - A Quaint Life (2024)

This easy-to-make Traditional Irish Soda Bread uses authentic ingredients to create a simple but delicious round of bread in just an hour.

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, I wanted to share with you our very favorite Irish Soda Bread recipe to make for the occasion. Not that you need it to be St. Patrick’s day to enjoy a delicious loaf of Irish soda bread. These pair well with soups, salads, stews, or anything else you can imagine. With having said that, St Patrick’s is one of those holidays that everyone seems to love especially the kids I find.

Now this recipe is extra special for us as each year we like to have a small special dinner in remembrance of my father. Who just so happened to be born on St. Patrick’s day. Though I doubt he ever ate Irish soda bread a day in his life, remembering him has made this holiday extra special for us. I like to dive a little deeper into St. Patrick’s Day and incorporate some traditional Irish foods for our meal. What could be better than a Traditional Irish Soda Bread recipe?

If you love quick bread recipes be sure to also check out this Garlic Focaccia Bread as well as these super soft Sliceable White Bread Loaves. Both are on repeat in my bread baking and ones I know your family will love as much as we do.

What is Irish Soda Bread

Irish soda bread is a quick bread traditionally made with the use of a combination of baking soda and buttermilk. Baking soda is used as the leavening agent in this bread and creates a different texture than other bread made from starters or yeasts. The base traditional ingredients of Irish soda bread are flour, salt, baking soda, and buttermilk. This is one of the easiest bread recipes and a great choice for the dinner table.

​About Irish Soda Bread…

• Its a great recipe for same day bread.
• Traditional soda bread recipes are the perfect way to learn to bake bread.
• This is the BEST classic Irish soda bread.
• ​Is made with simple ingredients.
• Different from yeast bread as the chemical reaction between the realbuttermilk and baking soda are what rise this homemade bread.

Ingredients

Flour- We will be using a blend of two flours for this Traditional Irish Soda Bread. Sifted all-purpose and whole wheat flour blended gives this bread a lovely texture.

Baking Soda- As our leavening agent we will be using baking soda. This in combination with buttermilk gives this soda bread its traditional name as these are two key ingredients in authentic Irish soda bread baking. The combination of both will help the bread rise.

Salt- I like to use sea salt but standard table salt will work fine here.

Buttermilk- The acid in the buttermilk works in combination with the baking soda to help create the leavening for this bread. It is an essential ingredient.

Rosemary- I like to use fresh rosemary for baking bread as there is nothing quite like having it fresh however in a pinch dried will do. Be sure to adjust amounts as dried is much more powerful than fresh.

What You Will Need To Make It

3 cups whole wheat flour

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups of buttermilk

1 tsp of salt

2 tsp of baking soda

2 tsp fresh rosemary finely chopped

Buttermilk Wash:

1 tbsp melted butter

1 tbsp buttermilk

Tools

Large Bowl

Wooden Spoon

Baking Sheet or Pan

Directions

For the dry ingredients, sift together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.

Stir in the whole wheat flour with a wooden spoon.

Create a well in the center of the flour mixture.

Slowly pour the buttermilk into the center of the well of the flour.

Using a fork combine the flour mixture and the buttermilk.

Make sure that the dough is completely wet and free from dry patches. Use clean hands to shape the dough into a round loaf.

Place the dough round on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Use a sharp floured knife to score an x across the top of the bread.

Combine the buttermilk wash by combing equal parts of buttermilk and melted butter into a bowl. Brush the round with the buttermilk wash.

Bake at 375℉ for 35- 40 minutes until golden brown. Allow the loaf to cool or comebefore slicing. Slice with a serrated knife.

Baking Notes

• It’s important not to overwork the dough. This type of bread has a rustic appearance so don’t go for perfection.
• Use your knife to score the dough making an x across the top. This will help the bread bake more evenly in the center.
• This is a sticky dough that is easy to shape.
• The buttermilk wash is equal parts buttermilk and melted butter. I brush before baking but if you would like to also brush after you can simply double the recipe to make enough wash for extra brushing.
• Do not heat the buttermilk and the butter on the stovetop for the buttermilk wash. Instead, melt the butter first and add it to a small bowl to mix.

What To Serve with Traditional Irish Soda Bread

This bread is so versatile that you can serve it right alongside just about any meal. But here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy Irish soda bread.

• Served along with a hot bowl of soup. Like this delicious creamy Simple Potato Soup.
• I love making dinner salads for a quick meal, whether lunch or dinner! Since this bread is so easy to make and requires NO rising time, it’s great to pair with a salad.
• This bread works well for dipping SO, a great spinach dip or artichoke dip is perfect for serving a warm loaf of Irish soda bread.
• Don’t forget the stews!
• This Traditional Irish Soda Bread makes a great dinner bread to place on the middle of the table for people to enjoy with their supper.

How To Store

Before storing, allow the bread to cool completely. Store bread in an airtight container or wrap in aluminum foil. I like to also use a large plastic bag.

FAQ

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

No, the baking soda and the acid in the buttermilk react with one another causing the bread to rise.But there are other substitutes for buttermilk here.

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Mixing Bowl

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Baking Sheets

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