Authentic 4-Ingredient Irish Bread (Printable)
Rustic Irish bread with a golden crust and tender crumb, ideal for breakfast or pairing with stews.
# What goes in:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour (500 g)
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Wet Ingredient
04 - 1 3/4 cups buttermilk (420 ml)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly flour it.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
04 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead just until it comes together—do not over-knead. Shape into a round, slightly flattened loaf about 2 inches thick. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Using a sharp knife, cut a deep X across the top of the loaf. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the bread is golden and sounds hollow when tapped underneath.
06 - Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in under ten minutes with zero proofing or waiting game
- The crust is perfectly golden while staying tender inside, ideal for slathering with salted butter
- You probably have everything in your kitchen right now
02 -
- Over-kneading makes it tough, so handle the dough as little as possible
- The X isnt just traditional—it helps the bread bake evenly in the center
03 -
- Weighing your flour yields the most consistent results every time
- Letting the bread cool completely prevents it from becoming gummy inside