Irish Soda Bread Recipe Wellplated Com

A quick bread recipe (meaning not a yeast bread) made with flour, buttermilk, and (depending upon who you ask), currants and/or caraway seeds, it’s ideal for toasting, smearing with jam (or Slow Cooker Apple Butter), and dunking in a big bowl of Instant Pot Beef Stew. Irish soda bread tastes mild and lightly buttery, similar to a fluffy biscuit (like these Drop Biscuits) or Savory Scones with Bacon Cheddar and Chive. The edges are lightly craggy (I love picking them off); the inside is soft, but sturdy.

How to Make Irish Soda Bread

Humble in origin and of great importance to its people, Irish soda bread is simple and sustaining.

Irish soda bread made the best of what people had available: soft wheat flour (which grows well in Ireland—it’s similar to cake flour or pastry flour), baking soda, salt, and soured milk (now we use buttermilk in its place).It required very little kitchen equipment to make and could be baked over an open hearth.Other additions, such as currants, were added only at special occasions, such as Easter.

Nowadays, it is a St. Patrick’s Day favorite for many. I’ve been making this soda bread recipe for more than 15 years. I’ve tweaked it over time to add healthy ingredients like whole wheat flour. It wasn’t until I first shared it on my blog, however, that I realized how, ehrm, strongly some folks feel about Irish soda bread.

To those of you who are here for a tasty Irish soda bread recipe, enjoy!To those of you who feel I departed too far from tradition, I’d love to learn about your version of traditional Irish soda bread. Feel free to leave me a note in the comments below.

The Ingredients

Flour. I used a combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour. The flour mixture is perfect for making a soda bread that’s moist and tender while also being hearty.

Sugar. While this bread is not overly sweet, the sugar gives it just a hint of sweetness. It also ensures it has a tender crumb. Butter. Gives it that scrumptious buttery flavor. Egg. For extra richness.Buttermilk + Baking Soda. Essential ingredients for the perfect soda bread rise. The baking soda is also how this bread got its name. Molasses. Adds subtle complexity. Currants. Adds small pockets of tartness that’s a lovely contrast with the mild butteriness of the bread. Originally for special occasions only, we’re lucky to be able to add currants to our Irish soda bread any day we like.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Store bread in an airtight storage container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To Freeze. Freeze bread in an airtight freezer-safe storage container or ziptop bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Food Processor. A food processor is great for mixing the dry ingredients and butter together. Mixing Bowls. A simple set of glass mixing bowls that you can microwave and refrigerate. Baking Sheet. Whether you’re making this delicious homemade bread, a one-pan meal, or Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies, you need baking sheets.

This is a humble, no-frills bread, and that’s one of the reasons I love it so much.

Crockpot Beef Stew

6 hrs 15 mins

One Pan Cabbage and Sausage Recipe

40 mins

Potato Cheese Soup

5 hrs 20 mins Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe. Slather a slice in butter, dunk another into your stew, and enjoy this Irish Soda Bread. It’s wonderful on St. Patrick’s Day or any day.