Soda Bread Irish Butter (Printable)
Rustic Irish soda bread yields a tender crumb, ideal served warm with creamy butter accompaniment.
# What goes in:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - 1¾ cups buttermilk, well-shaken
→ To Serve
05 - Irish butter, for serving
# Directions:
01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
03 - Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Mix gently with a wooden spoon or your hand until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overwork.
04 - Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead briefly, just until it comes together. Shape the dough into a round loaf about 2 inches thick. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - With a sharp knife, cut a deep cross into the top of the loaf about ½ inch deep.
06 - Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the loaf is golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
07 - Cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature with generous slabs of Irish butter.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Four ingredients you probably already have, ready to bake in under an hour
- The cross on top isnt just tradition, it helps the bread cook through evenly and gives you that perfect rustic look
02 -
- Overworking the dough makes the bread tough and dense, so stop mixing as soon as the flour is incorporated
- The hollow tap test is the most reliable way to check doneness, and if youre unsure, give it another 5 minutes rather than risking underbaked dough
03 -
- Use room temperature buttermilk if possible, as cold ingredients can slightly inhibit the rising action
- Cast iron skillets create an incredible crust, so if you have one, bake the bread in a preheated skillet instead of a baking sheet