Everyday Kitchen

British/Irish · Baking

Irish Soda Bread

Draft recipe — not kitchen-tested
VegMedium

Diet: Veg

Irish Soda Bread is a British/Irish dish. Bake soon after adding buttermilk because the soda reacts immediately.

Prep
20 min
Cook
40 min
Rest, soak, marinate or chill
30 min
Total
90 min
Servings
10
Difficulty
Medium
Cuisine
British/Irish
Course
Baking

Estimated times for the original batch. Preparation, cooking and listed waiting time are included. Batch cooking can take longer.

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Representative photograph of Irish Soda Bread. The photograph includes dried fruit; this draft makes an unsweetened wholemeal soda bread.
The photograph includes dried fruit; this draft makes an unsweetened wholemeal soda bread. Representative photograph of Irish Soda Bread. Garnishes and presentation may differ. This is not a tested result of this draft. Photo credit and licence
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Ingredients

Metric weights use grams. US weights use ounces; liquids use fluid ounces. Conversions are rounded. Spoon measures use 5 ml teaspoons and 15 ml tablespoons; cups use 240 ml.

Serves 10

Choose any positive whole number of servings. Ingredients and measured amounts in steps scale together. Times, temperatures and equipment stay unchanged. For larger yields, cook separate original-size batches. Counted ingredients can become fractions; beat eggs before dividing them. Fixed correction-water checks remain fixed.

Dough

Equipment

Kitchen scales; measuring jug and spoons; knife; cutting board; mixing bowls; oven; baking tray; oven gloves; rolling pin; heatproof spoon; spatula.

Check all product labels and cross-contact. Diet groups describe this listed draft, not every substitution.

Steps

Mix · About 7 min

  1. Heat oven to 200°C / 400°F. Mix dry ingredients from 250 g wholemeal flour, 250 g plain flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 420 ml buttermilk, then stir in buttermilk just until a soft dough forms.

    Check: Look for this result: a soft dough forms.

Shape · About 7 min

  1. Turn onto a lightly floured surface, shape a round without prolonged kneading and cut a deep cross in the top.

Bake · About 40 min

  1. Bake 35–40 minutes until well browned and hollow-sounding underneath. Cool on a rack 30 minutes.

    Check: Look for this result: well browned and hollow-sounding underneath.

Tips

  • Bake soon after adding buttermilk because the soda reacts immediately.
  • Use the texture and doneness checks in the method; cooking times depend on your pan and heat.

Substitutions

  • Use plain yogurt thinned with milk instead of buttermilk.

Storage

  • Cool promptly; refrigerate covered within two hours, or one hour above 32°C / 90°F. Keep at 4°C / 40°F or below and use within two days.
  • Keep cream, custard, cheese and meat fillings refrigerated. Reheat savoury filled dishes to 74°C / 165°F; serve chilled cakes directly from the fridge.

Make ahead

  • Prepare the measured ingredients for Irish Soda Bread one day ahead. Refrigerate chopped vegetables and other perishable ingredients separately; complete the staged cooking on the serving day.

FAQ

What matters most when making Irish Soda Bread?

Bake soon after adding buttermilk because the soda reacts immediately.

What can I substitute in Irish Soda Bread?

Use plain yogurt thinned with milk instead of buttermilk.

Can I prepare Irish Soda Bread ahead?

Prepare the measured ingredients for Irish Soda Bread one day ahead. Refrigerate chopped vegetables and other perishable ingredients separately; complete the staged cooking on the serving day.

Food safety references

FoodSafety.gov: cooking temperatures · Food Standards Agency: rice storage and reheating

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