Happy St Patrick’s Day! Having shared a couple of Welsh recipes for St David’s Day earlier this month, it seemed only right that I shared an Irish recipe for today. And what is a more iconic Irish bake than Soda Bread?
Similar to that of our Welsh Cakes and Bara Brith recipes, I was keen to seek the advice of some Irish friends before delving too deeply into the world of Soda Bread and claiming to be an expert in a field that isn’t my usual Scottish domain. Lucky for me, I have a good number of Irish friends.
Did you know that 90% of optometrists working in Scotland are from Ireland? Ok, that’s maybe not a fact (it might be!) but from my experience of working in optics for nearly a decade, I can honestly say that the overwhelming majority of optometrists that I worked with did grow up in Ireland. And they are the sole reason for me now over-using the word “grand”.
Despite having not worked with eyes in 5 years (!!) now, I still keep contact with a good few of them, a couple of whom were more than happy to assist with my Soda Bread questions.
But first of all…what is Soda Bread?
Soda Bread is a yeast-free bread, made with just a few ingredients, with no need to knead; meaning it can be made and baked in as little as 40 minutes [total time].
Unlike yeast breads, soda bread relies on the reaction between the bicarbonate of soda and the acid in the buttermilk to give it it’s rise, as well as it’s familiar flavour.
In terms of texture, it is quite a dense bread and slightly chewy. It has a crunchy crust when freshly baked but if stored in an air-tight container, or wrapped in cling film, this quickly softens. Soda bread is perhaps not a go-to for sandwiches but it is perfect for toast, or to accompany a bowl of soup. Or, of course, simply sliced thick and slathered in butter!
Now, in terms of my soda bread question for my Irish friends…
When first researching soda bread recipes and tips, I kept coming across one variant that was either a must-have ingredient, or one that had no place.
Raisins.
Or sultanas. Or any dried fruit additions for that matter. I consulted in my go-to Ireland experts.
One – who is a bit of soda bread connoisseur, and who despite living in Scotland for well over a decade still has a loaf of Soda Bread sent over to her every month – was quick to say a prompt no to raisins.
The other – who is quite literally the most Irish person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing – offered us some stellar advice…
“If in doubt, raisins out.“
So there you have it. Straight from two Irish optometrists. One from Northern Ireland, one from Ireland (if that makes any difference…?).
Both in agreement that Irish Soda Bread doesn’t have raisins in it. No judgement from me, a Scottish lass, should you wish to add a handful to yours though. Potentially judgement from them though. In fact, definitely judgement from one. That’s just who he is.
Love this? Try this:
Ingredients:
Plain Flour
Although plain flour can be used in a pinch for our Easy Bread, generally a bread recipe would call for a bread flour, or a “strong” flour. For soda bread however, using a flour with a higher concentrate of protein (ie. gluten) – such as a bread/strong flour – is a waste. A simple plain flour is all that is required! You can also use a wholemeal flour, or even a combination of wholemeal and white flour, should you so desire.
Bicarbonate of Soda
Being a yeast-free bread, soda bread relies on the reaction between the bicarbonate of soda and the acid in the buttermilk to create bubbles whilst baking, resulting in a lift and rise in the bread dough. It’s a fun bit of science, all within a humble loaf of bread!
The bicarbonate of soda is also where it of course gets it’s name from.
Salt
For flavour of course. I recommend using sea salt but you can experiment with different kinds of salt to get your perfect flavour. Hawkhead Whisky Smoked Salt in particular is to die for in Soda Bread – trust me!
Buttermilk
If we’re going for a traditional soda bread, it has to be buttermilk. Buttermilk already has it’s own acidity to it, so reacts perfectly with the bicarbonate of soda – no additional ingredients required.
If however you can’t get hold of buttermilk, or you want the option to make it without, you can substitute with a standard milk (preferably whole-fat or soya, although others can be used too), and a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice, to create the missing acidity. I would always recommend using slightly less milk in this instance, as buttermilk tends to be naturally thicker. See the recipe notes for more info.
Granny's Top Tips
• Much like scones, Soda Bread needs a light touch. You don’t want to overwork your dough, or you risk knocking the air out of it before it’s had a chance to bake. The less you can handle it, the better – you want the dough to be just combined and no more.
• Some people assume that the cross cut into the top of your loaf has religious connotations but that’s not the case – it’s simply to aid in the rising and baking of your bread. Without it, it would be too heavy to rise sufficiently and burnt on the outside, whilst still being doughy in the middle. Using a sharp knife will give you the most uniform cross cut.
• If possible, allow your bread to cool for 30 minutes before slicing. It can be tempting to tuck in straight away, but cutting too soon can risk the loaf collapsing and seeming doughy & under-baked.
INGREDIENTS
- 320 g Plain Flour (All-purpose Flour)
- 1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda)
- 1 tsp Sea Salt
- 300 ml Buttermilk see notes for alternative
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your oven to 200°c (190°c for fan-assisted ovens, Gas Mark 6 or 400°F). Line a baking sheet with a piece of greaseproof paper and set aside.
- Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a large bowl. Make a well in the middle before pouring in the buttermilk.
- Gently stir together, being cautious not to mix too vigorously. Once the wet and dry ingredients have started to come together and you can no longer mix with a spoon/spatula, use your hand to form it into a soft, slightly sticky dough.
- Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface and very gently knead it into a loose ball - try not to knead it more than 2-4 turns to do this.
- Gently lift the ball of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Gently press to flatten a little, before cutting a cross over the top of your soda bread.
- Bake in your preheated oven for about 30 minutes, until golden brown.
- Allow your loaf to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Soda Bread will keep in a sealed container, or wrapped in cling film for a couple of days.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
All my recipes are developed using a digital scale and the metric system (grams and millilitres). Cup measurements are available as a conversion but these, unfortunately, won't always be as accurate. For best results, I always recommend baking with a digital scale.
RECIPE NOTES:
- If you are unable to get buttermilk locally, or would prefer a dairy-free option: Simply switch out the buttermilk for 250ml of milk, mixed with 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar, or 1 tbsp lemon juice. Mix about 30 minutes before using to allow the milk to thicken ever-so slightly.
Free-from & Vegan
Nut-free: There is no nuts in this recipe for Soda Bread but be sure to double check your individual ingredients for any hidden nuts.
Egg-free: There is no eggs used in this recipe but be sure to check your individual ingredients for any hidden egg.
Dairy-free: To make this Soda Bread dairy-free, use 250ml of your dairy-free milk of choice (in place of the buttermilk in the recipe), mixed with 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Prepare your milk mixture about 30 minutes before, which will allow your milk to thicken ever-so slightly.
Vegan: To make this a Vegan Soda Bread, use the dairy-free tip above.
46 responses
Great Irish bread just what mum baked every Monday for her ten children.I now do the same for my family.
Wowee! Ten children! A braver woman than me ;)
Mmmmmm so yummy thank you I baked your soda bread after being unable to find irish soda bread in the supermarket and am totally delighted with the results! No more shop bought for me, have a wonderful Christmas xx
Hello Carol, I am really pleased you were so delighted with your soda bread – it’s great stuff isn’t it.
I miss it desperately. I am used to using an Irish flour….they obviously have flour for Soda bread, please may I ask you what flour you used? I have tried varying brands with limited success….I’m still looking and hopefully you’ll tell me which flour you used
Regardless of its shape, as a non bread maker and a total amateur baker, this recipe was exceptionally easy to follow and the result astounded me, being not only aesthetically pleasing but tasted really really good.
That is not proper soda bread. Soda bread is flat not made like your picture in all my life it has not looked like that if you want to make it get a proper traditional recipe
Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth.
Thank you for the recipe, Amy. It makes beautiful soda bread just as it should be.
Perhaps you are thinking of Soda Farls Elizabeth which are more commonly available in Northern Ireland. I make my own soda Farls and soda bread (mostly wheaten) as I live abroad and they are not available in shops here.
The North of Ireland.
Not northern Ireland.
Looks just like my mums. She’s from Ballybofey Co’ Donegal. She came to Glasgow and amongst other things – had me. My mum made this all my days, sometimes plain sometimes with raisins – She’s just turned 90 and no longer capable of home baking. So today – after a lengthy stay in hosital I have her back home and I am going to use Amy’s recipe to help perk her up.
Amazing recipe thank you. Had it with some slow cooked Irish stew and used garlic butter on the bread. Was a bit nervous as never made bread before. But honestly so tasty.
The bread Amy made was proper soda bread . You must have been referring to soda farls. Both are available in Northern Ireland. Maybe you are not aware of the difference.
The north of Ireland.
Not northern Ireland.
Hi Elizabeth
It looks like the soda bread I was brought up with.
Are you perhaps talking about soda farls, which are flat?
Hi Elizabeth
I was taught to make soda bread by my aunt.
She had been making it since she was a young girl. She has been dead for 30+ years. The bread was made on a weekly basis. She did not own scales – it was all done by eye and experience. Hers was exactly like the picture. When cooled it was cut in 4 using the slit as a guide
So I have to disagree with you!!!
I agree with you Elizabeth I come from an Irish family and it is authentic Irish soda Bread. I make it every week for my family.
Can you make with whole meal flour
Nonsense, it’s exactly the soda bread that my grandmother and mother made. Try constructive comments instead of attacking the author. I’ve never heard of flat soda loaf. Maybe you should look for a traditional recipe
We have all deviated from the original soda bread baked by our grandmothers. It was flat when it was baked on a griddle and turned over half way through, at least it was in Northern Ireland. If you go into any home in Ireland today the soda bread baked will look exactly like Amy’s. Mine is far removed from what my mother baked, I can’t get buttermilk locally so I use Kefir with equal success.
Never made this before such an easy reciepe it turned out really well and also your reciepe for tattie scones is amazing i live in corby and finding it hard to get them so this is brilliant
Regarding the cross cut in the top – it’s to let the fairies out! (Otherwise they’ll spoil your soda bread!)
Thanks for your recipe. 1st time making Irish soda bread and happy to say turned out delicious. Will be adding this to my list of your recipes Just enjoyed a wee slice with some lovely butter
Another winner. You have taught me to bake. I now bake at least 4 times a week and actively seek out recipes.. Thank you!
Just letting you know I enjoy all your recipies, well done proper home baking .My Mam is from North Wales and your Barra Brith gets 10/10. Regarding your Soda bread recipe it is spot on-I don’t agree with that rather angry lady-a Soda bread is not flat but a Soda FARL (more commonly eaten in Northern Ireland ) is …. (I am Irish by the way) Keep up the good work Amy!
Agreed!
Just trying this recipe with oat milk and lemon juice. Mix got sloppy even at 250ml. It’s in the oven….. and ….out of the oven it smells and looks the part. Slight rise in the middle and golden brown. I can’t wait thirty minutes to try it as I’m hungry. It tastes good, of course it will taste very different with buttermilk, and yes, you really do want to wait as long as possible before cutting it. In my defence, I was rather hungry after walking the dogs and cutting wood.
I use a recipe passed on to me from a friend from Northern Ireland and I’ll probably stick to that one. Two comments, though: first, the cross on top is to let the fairies out, else they’ll be mad at you and spoil the bread or go on to do further mischief in your kitchen. Secondly, I used to live in Canada and buttermilk there is something you drink. Sainsbury’s and Tesco b-milk is thick and comes in little 300 ml pots. I buy the Polish Maslanka (buttermilk) which comes in a litre carton and is very pourable and drinkable. Both S & T used to have that but not now, and I buy the UK version only if I’m pushed. It all works the same way.
Made this to go with my soup for lunch today. I did the milk/lemon juice substitute as I didn’t have buttermilk and it turned out great. I baked it for about 40mins at 200c before it got to the right internal temperature (91c) – but my oven runs cooler so I expected it to take a bit longer!
Bread cuts really well and tasted lovely with some butter and dunked in my soup. Super easy and quick, can’t wait to try another of your recipes.
I like the idea of using apple cider vinegar instead of buttermilk
Tried this recipe using whole milk and lemon juice . It is delicious and so easy to make and bake! Have passed it on to my son. Can’t sing its praises enough.
Tried this recipe but used Kefir instead of buttermilk, not original but very tasty with a slab of butter.
I haven’t tried it yet but it seems by far the wettest mixture I have seen. It’s well 90% buttermilk to flour. Other recipes seem to use a ratio of about 80%
Just reading this again and in your recipe at the top you state 300ml of buttermilk but as an alternative it can be replaced with 250 ml milk and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Perhaps in the recipe you mean 250 ml buttermilk?
Lovely – you can safely half the salt without noticing. Top tip – mix it with a butter knife rather than a spoon or your hands, and don’t knead it at all. Once it’s mixed in the bowl just tip it onto the tray. It’ll be craggy which helps the crust, and let’s you have the mix as wet as you dare (without ending up in a mess). Wet the knife to make the cross in the dough (to let the devil out, we were told) so it doesn’t drag.
Looks a bit miss shaped and had more mix stuck to my fingers but will advise on taste
Nice simple recipe, have been making it all my life after watching my mother make it. I’ve even added mature Cheddar cheese and jalapeños. Often use 50/50 white and wholemeal flour.
Since finding this recipe I have been making it regularly and I cook it in the air fryer. First 15mins at 190
Gently flip over then a further 10 to 15 mins at 180 keep an eye on it and remove after the first 10 mins of looking cooked and sounds hollow if not cook a little longer
This works well for me I hope it works for others
Made this today and it came out well, probably would add a little more salt next time. Made Soda bread before but it was so long ago that I lost the recipe I used so pleased that I tried this one.
I’ve been looking for a simple recipe as a newbie bread maker, deffo going to give this a try, despite Elizabeth’s stupid negative comment, some people must just have too much time on their hands!
Made the Soda bread several times now and it’s great, I am now looking for gluten free Soda bread and wonder if you have tried to adapt your recipe to make it gluten free.
Would I be able to make mini versions of this soda bread, I’m thinking bread roll sized to go with the irish stew I’m making at work for st. Patricks day!
Wow!! First time making Soda Bread & how easy does it all come together and in super quick time too?!! No wonder it was a staple in hungry households.
My hubby is half Irish and having made an Irish Stew for St.Patricks day to honour his Dad, I made this to mop up the gravy…. The loaf lasted minutes if that lol!! Apparently, it’s so good according to hubby and daughter that I have to make it every time we have stew now. Thank you ☺️
Amazing. I used the milk and lemon juice option and the bread was perfect. I’m going to make my way through many more of your recipes, thank you Amy.
Delicious soda bread. If I wanted to make a cake with double quantities, what would the cooking times be?
We have all deviated from the original soda bread baked by our grandmothers. It was flat when it was baked on a griddle and turned over half way through, at least it was in Northern Ireland and was called a soda farl. If you go into any home in Ireland today the soda bread baked will look exactly like Amy’s. Mine is far removed from what my mother baked, I can’t get buttermilk locally so I use Kefir with equal success.