Irish soda bread made with buttermilk and basic ingredients. The buttermilk gives this crusty loaf a good flavor. It’s the best Irish soda bread around!
This classic Irish soda bread is perfect for St. Patrick's Day, but you'll want to make it all year long.
What Is Irish Soda Bread?
Irish soda bread is a type of quick bread that relies on baking soda, not yeast, to rise. The bread contains buttermilk, which contains lactic acid. The acid reacts with the baking soda to create air bubbles, resulting in a perfectly risen dough.
Soda bread became incredibly common during the Irish Potato Famine, as you can make it with only four ingredients: flour, salt, an acid, and baking soda.
Irish Soda Bread Ingredients
These are the basic, easy-to-find ingredients you'll need to make this top-rated Irish soda bread recipe:
· Flour: This classic Irish soda bread starts with all-purpose flour.· Margarine: Margarine has a higher water content than butter, so the results are often softer. If you want, you can substitute Irish butter.· Sugar: Four tablespoons of sugar add the perfect amount of sweetness.· Leaveners: Baking soda and baking powder act as leaveners, which means they help the bread rise.· Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor of the Irish soda bread.· Buttermilk: A cup of buttermilk adds flavor and helps the loaf rise even higher.· Egg: An egg lends richness and flavor. Plus, it helps bind the dough together.· Butter: Brush the unbaked loaf with a mixture of buttermilk and butter before you bake it for extra flavor and shine.
How to Make Irish Soda Bread
You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade Irish soda bread:
1. Combine the first six ingredients in a bowl. Stir in the buttermilk and egg.2. Turn the dough out and knead. Form the dough into a round loaf.3. Brush with butter and buttermilk, then cut an X in the top.4. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How to Store Irish Soda Bread
Wrap the cooled Irish soda bread tightly in storage wrap or place it in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to four days.
Can You Freeze Irish Soda Bread?
Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in a layer of storage wrap, then follow it up with a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Cookdap Community Tips and Praise
“This was phenomenal,” according to Joi Wolf. “I added raisins and the whole family gobbled it up.”
“This bread turned out AMAZING,” raves luvz2cook. “I have never made Irish soda bread before and this recipe was so easy. My kids are going to LOVE having this with corned beef and cabbage tonight.”
“I have made this bread every single year for years,” says Queen_Wagner. “It always turns out perfect! But to make it extra special, add caraway seeds, currants, and fresh orange peel… OH MY GOD. You will get raves.”
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup margarine, softened
- 4 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup butter, melted
Directions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
Step 2
Mix flour, softened margarine, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 3
Combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk in a small bowl; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.
Step 4
Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness after 30 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings Per Recipe 20 | |
Calories 172 | |
% Daily Value * | |
Total Fat8g | 10% |
Saturated Fat3g | 13% |
Cholesterol16mg | 5% |
Sodium269mg | 12% |
Total Carbohydrate23g | 8% |
Dietary Fiber1g | 3% |
Total Sugars3g | |
Protein4g | |
Vitamin C0mg | 1% |
Calcium53mg | 4% |
Iron1mg | 7% |
Potassium56mg | 1% |
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient.If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
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source by allrecipe
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- by: LOVINOVEN
- 22 years ago
The recipe name says it all – really easy. And really good. 1/2 of the loaf is already gone this evening, and the 2nd loaf is in the oven. Wanted an easy Irish Soda Bread to take into work for St.Patrick’s Day, and this was it! It’s not dry like some recipes are. I cut the softened margarine in with 2 knives and then a pastry cutter, as this was not explained in directions. I added 1/2 cup of raisins in while kneading the dough. Amazingly good.
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- by: GABRIELLESMOM
- 22 years ago
I didn’t rate this recipe as high as “Irresistible Irish Soda bread” simply because there was some kneading involved which was just a bit more difficult than pouring a batter. However, I LOVED this bread recipe. It had a very flaky crust and was so delicious. I will definitely keep this one around.
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- by: Cookdap Member
- 22 years ago
I made this bread today for our St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Wow! It is awesome! It’s crunchy on the outside and moist and sweet on the inside. It tastes fabulous. Our guests loved it too. I highly recommend it and plan on making it often. Brushing the butter and buttermilk mixture a few times while baking really added a great crust. Bon Appetite!
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- by: Cookdap Member
- 22 years ago
Great recipe. Takes little time to make and was delicious. I added raisins to a loaf and it went fast. Wish I had added raisins to both loaves that I made. Going to make it again for Easter. My daughter can’t wait. Does dry out quickly after slicing but makes great toast the next morning.
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- by: HPITTS
- 21 years ago
Bread had a biscuit texture. Rich and good–my company enjoyed it. I basted the bread 3-4 times through baking, but that may have lowered the temperature of the bread in baking too much because I ended up with a small doughy part in the middle of the bread even though the outside was well done.
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- by: The Bunny Chef
- 21 years ago
Mmmmmm!!! This was very good, and so easy to make. The only changes I made was I kneaded the dough right in the bowl, and about half way through the cooking time, I lowered the temperature to 350 as another reviewer suggested and cooked it a bit longer than the recipe said. It looked perfect on the outside and was cooked in the middle. I’ve never had soda bread before, but it was like an enormous buttermilk biscuit! I think next time I might make a bunch of little ones becuse they’ll cook faster. Thanks for the recipe!
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- by: LUCID501
- 21 years ago
I’m not sure if this is authentic or not, as I have never had Irish soda bread, but it does taste amazingly like the biscuits at Cooker restaurant which is definately good enough for me! Next time I will try making them in biscuit form, it would probably make about a dozen I think.
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- by: Amydoll
- 20 years ago
When I used to think of soda bread, I think bland, dense, not very good. However, to be festive I decided to try making it myself. I cook a lot, and this is one of my favorite recipes I’ve found. Wow! So moist, and slightly sweet. I did add some raisins, and I basted the bread liberally every 15 minutes with the buttermilk mixture (I used it all). I will be making another loaf on St. Patricks Day. Thank you, thank you, for sharing. I will not try another soda bread recipe because I can’t believe any could be better.
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- by: Cookdap Member
- 20 years ago
What a great recipie !! I used to be afraid to Make soda bread (pretty bad for and Irish woman) this was the first time.! It came out PERFECT!Just like we get from the traditional Irish bakeries here in NY. I was so amamzed. I will be making this one all year long !! I also added Golden raisins thry added a nice hint of sweet. It’s even better the next day toasted with butter (real butter) and a good cup of coffee or tea! Try this you’ll love it!!! Bravo!!
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- by: Rebekah Rose Hills
- 20 years ago
This was easy to make, but I have to say I didn’t think this really tasted like authentic Soda Bread, the consistency and flavor were much more like a buttermilk biscuit… which is fine if that’s what you’re looking for, but I will have to keep looking for a good Soda Bread Recipe!
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- by: Dmanfredi
- 19 years ago
This was so easy, and came out so beautifully! I made this for my son’s first grade class for today’s St. Patrick’s Day Feast. I am rating this although I never even had a bite…my son came home from school and RAVED about it, and said “Everyone” loved it at school (teachers and kids alike). So, based on ease, presentation, and the raves I’ve gotten via my picky 6 year old, this is a keeper. I’ll make this again, and I’m looking forward to enjoying it myself!
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- by: Wyattdogster
- 19 years ago
This was great, very different from the Irrestible Irish soda bread recipe (also on this site) which is more cakelike and moist. This soda bread is more like a biscuit and is excellent slathered with butter! Guess it will depend on what I am in the mood for! I did put plenty of moist raisins in it, even my raisin hating daughter enjoyed this!
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- by: Claudygirl
- 19 years ago
Well, the concensus on this bread was that it was very, very good. It does taste like biscuit, but that’s what to expect from a bread without no-yeast. There are two things missing from this recipe that we feel are essential: 1/2 cup of raisins (which I added) and 1.5 teaspoons of caraway seeds (which everyone reminded me that I didn’t, but should have). I flattened the ball as one reviewer suggested and cut a big X on top and it came out looking beautiful … heavy, but beautiful. It is BEST lightly toasted with jelly or preserves, but great as is. Thanks MP.
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- by: KRAEZDAY
- 18 years ago
I would like to give this 5 stars, but it was not a total hit with everyone so I took that into account. (Three out of five thought it was awesome.)
I absolutely love this dense, moist, not too sweet bread! I added 1/4 cup raisins and served it with “Beef and Irish Stout Stew” (recipe on this site). It went perfectly with it, and I enjoyed some with breakfast the next morning.
If you are looking for a light airy bread, this is not the recipe for you. -
- by: Nancy
- 17 years ago
This is a good recipe with just a few changes. I increased the sugar to 1/4 cup, used butter instead of margarine, beat 1 jumbo egg till frothy and baked it in a greased 9″ cast iron skillet. I basted with the butter/buttermilk mixture only twice (used the remainer for a second loaf)and sprinkled with white cyrstal sugar after each basting. Now the recipe is perfect.
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- by: Hot Tamale
- 17 years ago
This recipe lives up to all the hype! Really crusty on the outside and moist on the inside. I tried the lower temp (I cooked it at 350) and it came out perfect. A small note for non-bakers: this dough is really crumbly looking until you knead it. It freaked me out at first and I even added 1/4 cup buttermilk, but in the end it worked fine. Great recipe!
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- by: K. Wallace
- 17 years ago
Pretty good bread. Very moist, sweet, reminded me of a biscuit (I’d never had Irish soda bread before). I cooked it a little longer b/c the middle seemed doughy even though a fork came out clean. Otherwise followed the recipe exactly. Didn’t bother to brush (or in my case spoon) the buttermilk/butter mixture more than twice. I would definitely make this again.
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- by: Amanda Luckey
- 17 years ago
I gave the recipe 4 instead of 5 because it came out very crumbly and was difficult to mold into a round, and difficult to cut. Maybe it was my fault (this was the second bread I’ve ever made, and the first was made about an hour before this one!) but in any event, it tasted great and went very fast after dinner! I think it’s worth making again to see if I can make it better, especially because it went over so well with our company.
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- by: A Nony Mouse
- 17 years ago
Yum! Made this tonight w/corned beef and cabbage. This was definitely the best part of the meal. I used butter in place of the margarine, and it worked fine. Slightly sweet and scone-like. The crust was great.
I am tempted to make this again with some dried fruit mixed in, and coarse sugar on top which would be even more scone-like. Can’t wait to have it toasted for breakfast!
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- by: Lilster
- 17 years ago
This bread was a huge hit — everyone was raving about it. I used a stick of butter instead of margarine, and added two cups of golden raisins and 1 1/2 tablespoons of caraway seed. Note — this is an Irish Soda Bread of the drier, denser variety, not the fluffy sweet variety that always reminds me of a hot cross bun. It’s beautiful with butter slathered on it.
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- by: Momsheart
- 17 years ago
I made this yesterday for my husband. He was telling me how he missed his mom, and how she used to make this amazing Irish Soda Bread or “Spotted Dog” recipe. I wanted to surprise him so I gave this a shot. He LOVED IT!! He said “this is almost as good as moms!” I don’t hear those words often!! I did add the 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 cup of raisins, and baked at 350 for about 50 minutes. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, made my husband smile and my heart sing!
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- by: Jlamj
- 17 years ago
I found this bread dough so dry it was impossible to knead until I added more buttermilk. Comparing it to other similar recipes, it uses about half the liquid most of them use, and that’s probably the reason. Smells delicious however, and has a nice rustic appearance. I could not give it a higher rating because of the disproportionate amount of dry ingredients to wet — it should not be that difficult to complete the preparation.
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- by: KPITTS1
- 17 years ago
I’m glad another reviewer mentioned how crumbly the dough was because I would’ve been concerned. It came together easily as soon as I started kneeding it though. The crust came out nice and crumbly and the inside was dense and soft. I’m looking forward to having some toasted later.
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- by: Liz
- 17 years ago
My first experience with soda bread was so horrible that I was really hesitant to try another one, but this one claimed to be easy and it really was. It was delicious. It tasted a lot lik KFC biscuits to us. It was really fun to make for St. paddy’s day, and I’m really excited to make it for something else now. It’s going to be a new favorite with me. flaky on the outside, but really dense and moist on the inside. Just perfect.
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- by: Anna The Baker
- 17 years ago
I haven’t tried irish soda bread before because it’s not very common from where I came from. It tasted a little eggy, I’m not sure if that’s how it should really taste. It turned out soft and moist, which is nice. But I think it would be better with a little spice in it like raisins and cinnamon. I’ll probably try that next time.
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- by: SHCMEOW
- 17 years ago
While I must admit that the consistency was not quite right, the taste and ease of prep for this bread was fabulous! I made it for my Girl Scout troop’s Ireland booth and everyone loved it. 5 year olds wouldn’t stop eating it – plain! I did not use raisins or currants as I was making it for kids. It was exceptionally wonderful freshly warmed and slathered with butter. I highly recommend!
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- by: EILISH40
- 17 years ago
At last, an excellent soda bread in print. This is my mother’s recipe which I have made for years. It is the only bread I really remember growing up in Ulster. For our tastes it is absolutely the best and it also keeps more than a day. Can’t believe some reviewers thought this was time consuming to make – remember it does not require muck kneading – only enough to make it smooth.
Too much handling will make it heavy and tough. -
- by: Em
- 17 years ago
Very good! I lowered the oven temperature to 350 and baked for 50min. It was a little over baked so the inside was not very moist, but still taste good. Only used slightly less than 3tbsp each of buttermilk and butter for brushing the outside of the bread. The smell was wonderful while it?s baking in the oven!
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- by: Amber Powell Nawa
- 17 years ago
This is the best soda bread I’ve ever had. Even better than our beloved local Irish pub. I basted it about 5 times during baking, and each time I sprinkled a little sugar on top too! It was moist and just sweet enough. It even tasted better the next day straight out of the refrigerator! ***Update*** I made this again for St. Pat’s and decided to add a touch more salt, 1/3 cup of sugar instead of 1/4 and I added a touch more buttermilk to get it a little more moist. I baked it at 340 degrees for 50 minutes basting it 3 times and each time I sprinkled sugar all over the top again. It was perfect and everyone raved about it! The crust was crunchy and sugary and the inside was moist and sweet! *Update #2* Use Kerrygold Irish butter in place of the margarine if you can find it, it’s fantastic!!! Really puts it over the top.
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