Easy Classic Irish Soda Bread
A quick and foolproof Irish soda bread recipe with a crusty exterior and tender crumb, perfect for any occasion and made with simple pantry ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1¼ cups (300ml) buttermilk (or dairy-free milk with 1 tbsp vinegar as substitute)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (preferably dark brown)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon caraway seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place your cast-iron skillet or baking sheet inside to heat up for about 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar. If using, add caraway seeds now.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk and melted butter. Gently mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined; dough will be sticky and shaggy.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and lightly knead 3-4 times until it holds together. Shape into a round loaf about 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter.
- Place the loaf on parchment paper or directly into the hot skillet. Score a deep cross about ½ inch (1.25 cm) deep on top. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
Notes
Avoid overmixing or over-kneading the dough to prevent a tough loaf. Use fresh baking soda for best rise. Tent with foil if browning too quickly. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 1.2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: Irish soda bread, easy soda bread, classic Irish bread, quick bread, homemade bread, buttermilk bread