Authentic 4-Ingredient Irish Soda (Printable)
Rustic Irish soda bread with four ingredients, featuring a crisp crust and soft interior.
# What You'll 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 oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or dust lightly with flour.
02 - Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in large mixing bowl until thoroughly blended.
03 - Create well in center of flour mixture. Pour buttermilk into well and stir with wooden spoon until shaggy dough forms.
04 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead gently just until dough holds together. Shape into round, flattened loaf approximately 2 inches thick. Transfer to prepared baking sheet.
05 - Cut deep X across top of loaf with sharp knife. Bake 30-35 minutes until golden brown and bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
06 - Transfer loaf to wire rack. Cool minimum 30 minutes before slicing to ensure proper texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Its ready from start to finish in under an hour, perfect for those mornings when you wake up craving fresh bread but dont have the patience for proofing and rising
- The crust is satisfyingly crisp while the inside stays tender and moist, exactly how soda bread should be
02 -
- Over-kneading is the enemy here—work the dough just enough to bring it together, or your bread will turn tough and dense instead of tender
- The X cut isnt just for tradition, it helps the heat penetrate the center and ensures the loaf bakes evenly throughout
03 -
- Use room temperature buttermilk if possible, as it incorporates more evenly into the flour
- If the bottom is browning too quickly, slide a baking sheet onto the rack below to shield it