Irish Soda Bread Recipe
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional)
- 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 ¾ cups cold buttermilk
- 1 large egg (optional, for a richer crumb)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a cast-iron skillet. This ensures the bread won’t stick and helps the bottom develop a nice crust.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Ensure the baking soda is evenly distributed to prevent any bitter clumps in the finished bread.
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step adds a slight richness to the bread.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the buttermilk and the lightly beaten egg. Use a wooden spoon or a sturdy spatula to gently stir until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix, or the bread will be tough.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead it just a few times until it holds together in a round ball. Place the dough onto your prepared baking sheet or skillet and pat it down into a disc about 1.5 to 2 inches thick.
- Use a sharp knife to cut a deep cross (an “X”) into the top of the loaf, about an inch deep. This helps the bread cook through the center and allows it to expand. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Find it online: https://www.pleasecook.com/breakfast/irish-soda-bread-recipe/