Authentic 4-Ingredient Irish Soda (Printable Version)
Rustic Irish soda bread with a golden crust and tender crumb, crafted from four simple ingredients.
# 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 a baking sheet with parchment paper or dust lightly with flour.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt until well blended.
03 - Create a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour buttermilk into the well and stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
04 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently just until dough comes together—avoid overworking. Shape into a round, slightly flattened loaf about 2 inches thick.
05 - Place loaf on prepared baking sheet. Cut a deep X across the top with a sharp knife. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and hollow when tapped on the bottom.
06 - Transfer bread to a wire rack. Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to preserve texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in under 10 minutes with ingredients you probably already have
- The texture is incredible—crusty outside, tender inside, and nothing like store bought bread
02 -
- Overkneading develops gluten and makes the bread tough, so stop as soon as the dough holds together
- The X cut is not just decorative—it helps the bread heat evenly and prevents the center from being underbaked
03 -
- Room temperature buttermilk incorporates more easily and gives you a better sense of the dough consistency
- Use a very sharp knife or lame for the X cut—a dull blade will drag and deflate the dough