Irish soda bread

Irish soda bread: Tasty side dish. Image: Unsplash.

Irish soda bread – Delicious baked bread from the shores of Ireland

For all the ardent bakers out there, this delicious homemade bread recipe will not disappoint!

Irish soda bread

Irish soda bread: Tasty side dish. Image: Unsplash.

Bring a taste from Ireland to your table with this Irish soda bread. This tasty bread is a must-try for anyone who loves to bake their own homemade bread.

Traditionally Irish soda bread was made with four ingredients, namely flour, bread soda, sour milk and salt. However, this recipe was developed by the Head Pastry Chef, Paula Stakelum, at Ashford Castle, Ireland which is part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. She added a few additional ingredients to make this Irish soda bread even better!

If you use organic wholemeal flour and good creamy butter, you will certainly taste the difference.  The best is when the crust on the outside is dark brown, and the centre is almost just as dark. You will achieve this when the honey in the recipe caramelises during cooking, resulting in a sweet yet nutty flavour. Simply delightful!

Interesting fun fact about Irish soda bread: Did you know that in Ireland depending on the time of year and weather, your recipe may change slightly. In the summer when the cows are eating fresh grass, the buttermilk is creamy, as is the butter. However, in the winter when it is snowing in Ireland, the cows may be eating hay and silage, so the milk and butter may change and you will notice your dough may need a little more buttermilk. In South Africa, we may not notice the difference if our cows can eat fresh grass throughout the year.

Enjoy your Irish soda bread with creamy Irish butter and remember to share!

Irish soda bread recipe

5 from 2 votes
Recipe by Dirnise Britz Course: SidesCuisine: IrishDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

kg loaf
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

1

hour 
Total time

1

hour 

15

minutes

Ingredients

  • 460 g 460 wholemeal organic flour

  • 60 g 60 salted butter (room temperature)

  • 75 g 75 honey

  • 3 teaspoons 3 bread soda (sodium bicarbonate)

  • teaspoons cream of tartar

  • teaspoons salt

  • 375 g 375 buttermilk

  • 1 medium 1 egg

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 170°C.
  • Place the flour in a bowl and sieve in the bread soda, cream of tartar and salt.
  • Add the butter and begin to mix with a wooden spoon or spatula.
  • Slowly add the egg and buttermilk whilst mixing to make a smooth dough. The dough will be very wet, this is normal.
  • Prepare the baking tin by, brushing with melted butter and dusting with flour. Place all your bread dough into the tin, ensuring it is all level with your spoon.
  • Place in the oven for 1 hour at 170°C.
  • Enjoy the bread with creamy Irish butter, but don’t forget to share it!

Notes

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For more recipes that will make those around your dinner table feel as if they are in a five-star hotel, have a look at our recipe page. We have so many tasty suggestions for you to try.

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