Irish Soda Bread
Savor the simplicity of traditional Irish Soda Bread, a quick and easy classic with a hearty texture and tangy buttermilk flavor, best enjoyed fresh on the day it’s baked and an ideal complement to any meal.
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
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- 3 1/2 cups of flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- 1 teaspoon of salt, sea salt or kosher is best
- 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk
Instructions
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Preheat ovenPreheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Dust a baking sheet with a bit of flour.
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Combine dry ingredientsIn a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix well to distribute the salt and baking soda evenly.
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Add buttermilkCreate a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour the buttermilk into the well.
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MixUsing a wooden spoon or your hands, gently stir the flour into the buttermilk until you have a soft, sticky dough. If the dough is too dry, add more buttermilk one teaspoon at a time. If too wet, sprinkle in a pinch of flour. Do not mix for more than 30 seconds.
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Knead lightlyTurn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it lightly for just a few seconds until it comes together. Avoid over-kneading; the dough should be soft.
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Shape into a roundWorking quickly, pat and shape together into a round.
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Score the doughUse a sharp knife to score a deep cross into the top of the dough. This helps the bread to expand and cook evenly.
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BakePlace the shaped dough on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
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Reduce oven temperatureAfter 15 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
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CoolAllow the Irish Soda Bread to cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes before slicing. For a softer crust, wrap in a tea towel during cooling.
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ServeServe slices of the Irish Soda Bread with Kerrygold butter or your favorite spread.
Notes
Working quickly and not over-kneading the dough in Irish Soda Bread is important because overworking the dough can lead to a dense and tough texture. The goal is to keep the bread light and airy by preserving the gas created from the reaction between the buttermilk and baking soda. The entire mixing and kneading time should be under 1 minute.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 45
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