Easy Rustic Irish Soda Bread Recipe Perfect for Homemade Baking
A quick and easy Irish soda bread recipe with a golden crust and tender crumb, perfect for cozy breakfasts or family gatherings. Made with simple pantry ingredients and no yeast, this bread offers nostalgic comfort and delicious flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 servings) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional)
- 1 ¾ cups (420ml) buttermilk, preferably full-fat
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- Optional add-ins: ½ cup raisins or currants, or 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and position the rack in the middle.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar (if using).
- Add the melted butter and mix gently with the dry ingredients until crumbly.
- Pour in the buttermilk all at once and stir gently with a wooden spoon until the dough starts to come together. The dough should be sticky but not wet.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly about 5-6 times to form a rough ball. Avoid over-kneading.
- Shape the dough into a round loaf about 7 inches (18 cm) wide and place it on a baking sheet or cast-iron skillet lined with parchment paper.
- Score a deep cross about ½ inch (1.25 cm) deep across the top using a sharp knife.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is deep golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Transfer the loaf to a cooling rack and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
If crust browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil halfway through baking. Do not over-knead the dough to avoid tough bread. Let bread cool completely before slicing to prevent gummy crumb. Fresh baking soda is important for proper rise. Optional add-ins like raisins, currants, or caraway seeds can be folded in gently after mixing dough.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 60g)
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Irish soda bread, rustic bread, easy bread recipe, no yeast bread, homemade bread, quick bread, traditional Irish bread