Easy Rustic Irish Soda Bread Recipe Perfect for Quick Homemade Baking
A quick and easy Irish soda bread recipe with a crunchy crust and tender crumb, perfect for any occasion and made with simple pantry staples.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (480 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ cups (420 ml) cold buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (optional)
- Optional additions: ½ cup raisins or currants, or 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together 4 cups (480 g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in 1 ¾ cups (420 ml) cold buttermilk and 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter (if using). Use a wooden spoon or spatula to gently mix until a sticky dough forms. Don’t overmix; the dough should be slightly shaggy and moist.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently about 4-5 times to bring it together.
- Shape the dough into a round loaf about 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter. Place it on a lightly floured baking sheet or into a cast iron skillet.
- With a sharp knife, score a deep cross on top of the loaf.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Internal temperature should be about 200°F (93°C).
- Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Let cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
If the crust browns too fast, tent loosely with foil after 20 minutes. Don’t overmix or overknead the dough to avoid toughness. Use cold buttermilk for best rise. Scoring the top deeply helps the bread bake evenly and prevents cracking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of l
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
Keywords: Irish soda bread, rustic bread, quick bread, homemade bread, easy baking, no yeast bread