This delightful recipe for Irish soda bread is a scrumptious addition to any meal. It perfectly complements favorite Irish meals like corned beef and cabbage or a hearty Irish Beef Stew. My first encounter with this delightful bread was in the vibrant restaurants of Dublin. I remember savoring a warm, soft slice that just melted in my mouth. The experience offered a unique contrast to versions of soda bread found in the US. This is primarily due to the special type of flour used—Irish wholemeal flour, which is notoriously elusive here. A blend of all-purpose and whole wheat flour serves as a close approximation.
Irish soda bread stands out as a traditional loaf made without the use of yeast or sourdough. Instead, the leavening agent of choice is baking soda. This lends the bread its characteristic denser texture, similar to that of savory quick breads and unlike the airy, pillowy softness of yeast bread. It has a firm yet tender crumb that makes it truly distinctive.
History of Soda Bread
This now traditional bread became popular during the Potato Famine in the 19th century. During this time period, much of Ireland’s primary food source, potatoes, were infected with a fungus that caused them to lose their crops. It was a devastating time for many families because there was much starvation and disease due to the lack of food. To read an in-depth explanation of the devastation caused during this time, refer to Great Famine,Britannica.
Traditionally, the recipes for soda bread are based on just four simple ingredients: flour, salt, buttermilk, and baking soda. These humble components were low-cost yet yielded a nourishing and fulfilling bread that provided comfort during an incredibly sorrowful time.
Preparation, Servings, and Storage
One of the many joys of making soda bread is its simplicity. In just 10 minutes, you can mix together the ingredients, and after about 50 minutes in the oven, you’ll have a beautifully baked loaf ready to be enjoyed—making a warm, delicious treat in under an hour. Each loaf yields approximately 12 amazing slices, making it perfect for sharing or for indulging over several days. For storage, keep the soda bread at room temperature in a plastic bread bag, where it will remain fresh and delightful for up to five days.
Irish Soda Bread
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- 8 inch Springform pan
Ingredients
- 3 cups All purpose flour
- 1 cup Whole wheat flour
- 2 tsp Sea salt
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 Egg
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 3/4 cup Milk
- 2 tbsp Butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400℉.
- To make the buttermilk, in a small bowl, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tbsp of lemon juice. Allow this mixture to sit for 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, wheat flour, salt, and baking soda. Add the egg, milk, buttermilk and melted butter to the bowl and fold until all the ingredients form a soft, sticky dough.
- Grease the springform pan and pour the dough into the pan.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 50 minutes or until the internal temperature is 200℉.
- Remove the pan and allow to cool on a cooling rack for 15 minutes before removing the bread from the pan. Allow to continue to cool at least 30 minutes before cutting and serving.
Nutrition
