Irish soda bread recipe

Irish soda bread

This Irish soda bread recipe is super easy-to-make, and requires minimal kneading and no proving. Bake a batch and fill your home with the gorgeous aromas of freshly-made bread. Perfect simply spread with butter, or served alongside a hearty stew, to mop up all the delicious juices.

See method
  • makes 1 loaf
  • 15 mins to prepare and 35 mins to cook
  • 252 calories / serving

    Ingredients

    • 250g (8oz) plain flour, plus extra to dust
    • 250g (8oz) wholemeal flour
    • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 25g butter
    • 1 tbsp caster sugar
    • 1 x 284ml pot buttermilk

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    Each serving contains

    Energy
    1070kJ 252.0kcal
    13%
    Fat
    4g
    medium5%
    Saturates
    2g
    medium9%
    Salt
    0.5g
    medium9%
    Sugars
    4g
    low5%

    of the Reference intake

    Carbohydrate 49.7gProtein 7.8gFibre 4.4g

    Method

    1. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 6/200°C/Fan 180°C. Tip the flours, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a large bowl. Then use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until evenly dispersed. Stir in the sugar.
    2. Make a well in the centre of the flour and stir in the buttermilk until you get a soft dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and lightly knead for 1 min until smooth, then bring together to form a flattened round about 5cm thick and 15cm across.
    3. Place on a lightly dusted baking sheet. Dust with a little plain flour if you like. Use a large sharp knife to cut 2 slashes across the bread to make an ‘x’. Bake in the oven for 35 – 40mins until well-risen and browned. Place on a wire rack and leave to cool.
    4. For a lighter version, try using plain flour in lieu of wholemeal flour.

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