Irish Soda Bread - Its Origin and a Simple, Quick Recipe (2024)

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Irish soda bread is a traditional staple in Irish cuisine that has been enjoyed for generations. This simple yet delicious bread is easy to make and requires only a few basic ingredients. In this blog post, we will explore the history of Irish soda bread and provide a quick and easy recipe to try at home.

Irish soda bread is known for its signature cross shape on top of the bread, which is not just for decoration but serves a practical purpose. The cross allows the heat to escape the center of the loaf more evenly while baking without splitting the bread, resulting in a perfectly cooked bread with a soft interior and crusty exterior. This rustic appearance adds to the charm of Irish soda bread and makes it perfect for serving alongside soups, stews or just enjoyed warm with butter.

The origin of Irish soda bread can be traced back to the mid-1800s when baking soda became widely available in Ireland. Prior to this, yeast was used as the leavening agent in bread, but baking soda provided a quick way to make bread therefore being a convenient alternative. The simplicity of Irish soda bread made it popular among households, as it could be easily whipped up using flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk and did not need to rise before baking.

Fun facts:

In the 19th century, it was folklore that cutting the cross on the top of the dough let the devil out during baking.

Also, during this time, bread made with refined white flour was more expensive and was associated with people who had money, and poorer people made bread with brown or unrefined flour.

In the Northern regions, the round dough was cut into 4 pieces, known as farls, and baked in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop. In the Southern regions, Irish soda bread was kept in a round shape with an “X” scored on the top and baked in the oven. This Southern style is what we normally make here in the United States.

Most traditional Irish soda bread had only four basic ingredients: Flour, baking soda, buttermilk (or sour milk), and salt. In the recipe below, we also add butter, a little bit of sugar, and an egg to enhance the flavor of the loaf.

One of the best things about Irish soda bread is how versatile it is. While the classic version includes only a few ingredients, there are endless variations that you can experiment with. Add-ins like raisins, currents, caraway seeds, or grated cheese can take your soda bread to the next level. To create unique flavors and textures, you can also try different flours, such as whole wheat or rye.

Now that you know a bit about the history and versatility of Irish soda bread, let’s dive into a simple recipe you can try at home.

Irish Soda Bread – a Simple, Quick Recipe

Here are the ingredients for my Irish soda bread recipe.

• 4 Cups Flour plus extra to flour the work surface. In this recipe, I use all-purpose flour.
• 1 1/2 Cups Buttermilk. The buttermilk adds a slight tangy flavor to the bread and, along with the baking soda, makes the bread rise. If you don’t have buttermilk, see how to substitute below.
• 4 Tablespoons Butter – softened and cut into small cubes. Butter in the dough mixture adds a buttery rich flavor. If your butter is not at room temperature, it can be melted and added to the buttermilk/egg mixture.
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar. The sugar is optional, but it adds a little sweetness to the bread.
• 1 Egg.The egg as richness and flavor to the bread.
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons baking soda. The baking soda, along with the buttermilk, makes the bread rise.
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons salt. Salt is an overall flavor enhancer.

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For buttermilk substitute:

If you don’t have real buttermilk on hand, no worries. Here is an easy substitute: For every 1 cup of buttermilk substituted, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a measuring cup and then add enough milk to equal one cup. Mix and let sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles. It is then ready to use in the recipe.

Instructions to make Irish soda bread:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan or cast iron skillet with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Use a stand or hand mixer and blend the dry ingredients on low speed.
3. Distribute the small cubes of butter on top of the flour mixture. Mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour. If the butter is not softened to room temperature, melt it and add it to the buttermilk/egg mixture.
4. Mix the egg into the buttermilk.
5. Add the buttermilk/egg mixture to the flour mixture on low speed until combined.
6. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough a few times only until the dough comes together into a round loaf, adding flour if needed. The dough should not be very sticky at this point. Do not over knead, the dough will not be smooth.
7. Slightly flatten the loaf and place it on the prepared baking sheet or cast iron skillet. Use a sharp or serrated knife to score an “X” on top of the loaf before placing it in the oven.
8. Bake the bread in the oven for 50-60 minutes until golden brown. The loaf of bread is ready when an instant thermometer reads 195 degrees F in the center of the loaf. If you do not have an instant thermometer, follow the traditional way of testing to see if the bread was done by the hollow sound when tapped on the bottom. Cover the bread with aluminum foil if it is golden brown but needs to bake longer. Once covered with foil, continue to bake until the bread is done.
9. Let cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Store in an airtight container or in plastic wrap so it does not dry out. Irish soda bread stores well at room temperature for 3-4 days.

Have Irish soda bread with this delicious Guinness cottage pie recipe – it is so good!

Whether you have Irish heritage or simply appreciate good homemade bread, Irish soda bread is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Irish soda bread is a great addition to your St. Patrick’s Day meal. Its rich history and easy preparation make it an ideal choice for beginner bakers or those looking for something quick yet satisfying to enjoy with meals. So why not give this traditional recipe a try today? Enjoy making your own delicious loaf of Irish soda bread and enjoy it with some Irish butter.

If you try this recipe, please comment below and rate the recipe.

Yvonne ♥