Authentic 4-Ingredient Irish Soda (Printable Version)
Rustic Irish bread featuring a golden crust and tender interior using four simple ingredients.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
# How to Make It:
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 well combined.
03 - Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead just until it comes together—do not over-knead.
04 - Shape the dough into a round, slightly flattened loaf about 2 inches thick. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut a deep X across the top of the loaf.
05 - Bake for 30–35 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 Tips:
01 -
- This is the fastest bread you will ever make, perfect for when you realize company is coming over in an hour
- The crust bakes up beautifully golden while staying tender inside, ideal for soaking up stew or spreading with salted butter
02 -
- Overworking the dough makes it tough, so handle it as little as possible once the buttermilk hits the flour
- The X on top is not just pretty, it helps the bread bake evenly and prevents the center from being underdone
03 -
- Use a light touch when mixing to keep the bread tender and avoid toughness
- The hollow sound when tapping the bottom is your doneness indicator, trust it