Quick Irish Soda Bread Recipe with Buttermilk Easy Homemade Rustic Loaf
A quick and easy Irish soda bread made with buttermilk, delivering a rustic loaf with a crisp crust and tender, slightly tangy crumb. Perfect for pairing with soups or enjoying at breakfast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 servings) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (480 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1¾ cups (420 ml) buttermilk (or 1¾ cups milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar, let sit 5 minutes)
- Optional add-ins:
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup raisins or currants
- 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and position a rack in the middle.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and if using, sugar or caraway seeds.
- Pour the buttermilk into the dry ingredients and gently fold with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined. The dough will be shaggy and sticky.
- Fold in raisins or currants if using.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently shape into a round loaf about 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter and 2 inches (5 cm) thick. Avoid kneading.
- Using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross (about ½ inch or 1.3 cm) into the top of the dough.
- Transfer the loaf to a baking sheet or cast iron skillet and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Do not overmix the dough to avoid dense bread. Let the bread cool completely before slicing for best texture. Tent with foil if crust darkens too quickly. Buttermilk is key for tender crumb and rise. Substitute gluten-free flour blend and xanthan gum for gluten-free version. Dairy-free coconut yogurt can replace buttermilk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 2 inc
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 1
- Saturated Fat: 0.2
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Irish soda bread, quick bread, buttermilk bread, rustic loaf, easy bread recipe, no yeast bread