Homemade & Yummy

Food doesn't have to be complicated, but it does have to taste good.

Irish Soda Bread Quick Easy Recipe

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Nothing beats homemade bread. With this Irish Soda Bread Quick Easy Recipe, you can have freshly baked bread in no time. So easy, quick and delicious, your house will smell like a bakery. Great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this easy bread recipe.

A close up of Irish Soda Bread showing the nice X on the top.

I happen to love making homemade bread. Unfortunately, we always don’t have the time. Simple Irish Soda Bread is the answer. You can whip this bread recipe in minutes. The perfect side to soup, stew,(especially Irish stew) and chili. If you are like me, breaking off a hunk of bread and slathering it with butter is fantastic.

Recipe ingredients in a bowl, buttermilk in a measuring cup on the side.

There is something about the aroma of bread baking. That is my favourite part about visiting a bakery. Delicious sweets are one thing, but fresh baked bread is one of my favourite foods. There is not a type of bread I have not liked.

What is Irish Soda Bread?

Also called soda bread, it is a quick bread that does not require yeast, kneading or time to rise. Baking soda is used as the leavening agent. Traditional soda bread includes only 4 ingredients:

  • flour
  • baking soda
  • soured milk/buttermilk
  • salt

Soda bread dough on a wooden board.

Ingredients found in you pantry right? If you don’t have buttermilk don’t worry. Check below for some easy substitutions. This bread recipe is  easy as 1-2-3.

How to make Irish Soda Bread

Let me tell you, making bread does not get easier than this. I thought scones and cornbread were easy to make. This soda bread recipe is even easier. I really don’t think you can screw this up. Well ok, I guess you could burn it.

I really don’t think this will happen. Once that aroma of this delicious bread starts wafting through the house, you will be checking the oven. I am always eager to break off a hunk of this quick and easy bread and slather on the butter. SOOOOO GOOOOOD!!! 

Knife cutting an X on the top of the bread.

 

If you search the net you will find LOTS of different soda bread recipes. Some have nuts, seeds, and raisins. Traditionally it was made with NO butter and NO white flour. I think we have sort of customized it to our tastes.

So if you have never made Irish Soda Bread, let me give you the Coles notes directions. You will be a baking bread like a pro in no time.

Place the flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

  • Add the buttermilk.
  • Mix with your hands to combine.
  • Turn dough onto floured surface and mix until it forms a ball.
  • Place on a baking sheet.
  • Score
  • Bake

If you don’t have buttermilk on hand no problem. There are buttermilk substitutes you can use. Alternatively you can also use buttermilk powder mixed with water.

Overhead shot of bread cut on a wooden board. Shamrock decorations around.

For this Irish Soda Bread recipe, I did use butter and a bit of sugar (I know, breaking tradition), and I also sprinkled course salt on the top before baking.

I have baked it in a cake pan, and a cast iron skillet (it takes a little longer). We prefer the old fashioned way. Just plop it onto a baking sheet. Makes a great rustic looking loaf. Do you know why they score the top? Folklore states: “to let the fairies out”.

Close up of pieces of soda bread.

Making bread does not have to be time consuming and complicated. This Irish Soda Bread Quick Easy Recipe makes an appearance quite often on our dinner table. It disappears in a flash. Hope you give it a try.

Do you have a favourite quick bread recipe?

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A close up of Irish Soda Bread showing the nice X on the top.

Irish Soda Bread Quick Easy Recipe

Irish Soda Bread Quick Easy Recipe is just what you need to make freshly baked bread any day of the week. No yeast, no rising, no kneading. You only need 4 ingredients to make this soda bread recipe. Enjoy on St. Patrick’s Day, and all year long. 
5 from 40 votes
Print Rate
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Irish
Keyword: Authentic, Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Calories: 379kcal
Author: Homemade & Yummy

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp white sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup cold butter (cubed)
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 tsp course sea salt (optional)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350º F and choose your preferred baking pan, sheet or cast iron skillet. I just used a parchment lined baking sheet.
  • In a large bowl add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk to combine.
  • Add the butter and mix until crumbly.
  • Add the buttermilk (not all at once) and mix with your had until moist.
  • Turn dough onto floured surface and blend until it forms a round ball. Flatten with your hand slightly to form a disc about 7-8 inches across.
  • Place on baking sheet. Score an X on the top with a sharp knife (about 1/2 way through the bread.
  • At this point you can top with the course salt if you like.
  • Bake in oven for about 50 minutes. Check with a cake tester. Top should be browned, and the bread will have a hallow sound when you tap on the bottom.
  • Remove to a wire rack to cool. At this point I am ready to rip off a chunk!!
  • ENJOY!!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 905mg | Potassium: 299mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 9.1% | Calcium: 14.7% | Iron: 16.8%

Notes

***NOTE** If you choose to bake this in a cast iron skillet, you will have to allow for more time as it takes time for the skillet to heat in the oven. DO NOT heat the skillet before putting the bread in to bake.

Irish Soda Bread long pin image.

 

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I have never made Irish soda bread – sounds yum. The dough looks so pliable and easy to manage. I love how simple and easy this recipe is. Saving for later.

    Reply

  6. Yum, ”tis is perfect for this time of year hen it’s no too hot to turn he oven on! I really like how easy it looks, and love the thought of slathering a hot piece with butter!

    Reply

  9. I can’t say I’ve actually ever had Irish soda bread, but like you said I also love having a nice hunk of bread to go with a big bowl of soup. The smell of fresh baking bread is one of my favorite smells in the world. I love how quick and simple the recipe is!

    Reply

  12. Those salt crystals on top! OMG! I could eat this entire loaf with an obscene amount of kerrygold butter on each bite 🙂 Can’t wait to try this recipe.

    Reply

  17. I, too, love how easy it is to make Irish Soda Bread. It really comes together so quickly, and I love that rustic, craggily texture. I hadn’t heard the folklore about the cuts in the top being to “let the fairies out.” How fun! I absolutely love that. I’ll have to tell my St. Patrick’s dinner guests this year when I put the soda bread on the table!

    Reply

  19. Soda bread is the BEST! I grew up in Ireland and Soda bread was a staple in our house. I haven’t made my own in years, but it is still up there in my list of absolute favorite comfort foods. I am looking forward to trying this version out!

    Reply

  20. I cannot tell you how much I love Irish soda bread – although the version my Gram passed down has raisins and other nontraditional ingredients. I could eat this every day.

    Reply

  22. I did not know that bit about the fairies but I love it! Now I need to make this bread just so I can explain that to my daughters! This bread looks wonderful and I always have buttermilk in the fridge – it’s a staple in my cooking! My favorite part of a good loaf like this is that crusty bottom!

    Reply

  24. Look at the crackle on that bread! In my mind, it’s hard to beat homemade bread. It goes with anything! A simple smear of butter, pasta sauce, homemade soup… ugh. Now I just want homemade bread and soup. Lol. I’ve never had soda bread before, though. I’ve always wondered how it differed from other breads. I’m going to have to give it a shot 🙂

    Reply

  26. I imagine the fairies would be very happy to not be trapped inside a ball of hot baking dough! Ha ha!

    This looks really great; I’ve never come across it made with butter before but I have to admit that it does look really good!

    Reply

  27. I fell in love with soda bread too! It’s amazing how easy it is and so tasty. That little bit of soda I think gives it character. My favorite way to eat it other than fresh out of the oven with a smattering of butter is toasted in the toaster then smothering it with butter. Good stuff!!

    Reply

  28. My best friend’s mother, growing up, made the BEST Irish soda bread and I have yet to find a recipe that compares. Yours looks almost exactly like hers so I simply cannot wait to try it. Not that I mind when an Irish soda bread doesn’t taste quite like the one I remember, as they are all good in this red head’s eyes!

    Reply

  31. Even though it’s non-traditional, I also like adding butter to my soda bread, just like you. You and I seem to have a very similar taste, as I also absolutely adore the smell of the freshly baked bread. Thanks for the recommendation of using buttermilk powder. I have a big bag of it as I use it for traditional yeasted dough but I never know when it actually can be used in other recipes or not. So, it’s good to know that this recipe works well with the powder also.

    Reply

  32. You had me at Irish Soda Bread. This is one of my favorite breads to make and you’re so right — so many different variations on it. I make one with caraway and golden raisins, which I love, but this one looks so crusty and delicious. Can’t wait to try your version — and St. Patty’s Day is right around the corner…

    Reply

  33. Just in time for the St. Patty’s day menu. I have always loved Irish Bread, maybe its because my Grandpa was Irish. I love how simple it is to make and that you added your own “flare” to it. I might have a hard time sharing this loaf.

    Reply

  34. I love making my bread and will love to try your soda bread, I never had soda bread before, that sounds so easy to make and I know my family will love it!

    Reply

  35. I love soda bread, and this looks so fluffy and yet crusty. I will need to make this asap, and smear some butter all over it, warm out of the oven! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply

  37. Oh! It’s been a really long time since I’ve had Irish soda bread. It’s so delicious with soup!! I need to make a batch soon (and I love Kerrygold butter too!)

    Reply

  38. I love that this is a quick bread! I always thought bread making was difficult because of the kneading and rising and what not. I will definitely give this a try next week with a big pot of stew or soup. My family will love it!

    Reply

  40. Now that brings me back to when I was a kid! We would eat this every year and I LOVED it! Thanks for reminding me about this! I think I will be making it for my kids!

    Reply

  43. Irish soda bread is a traditional bread in our family. Our Irish Granny’s version used whole wheat flour, oats, and never any sugar. But your version looks much lighter and fluffier. Delicious!

    Reply

  44. This has to be the easiest homemade bread recipe I ever did see. Thank you! I’ve been wanting to make homemade bread, but always get put off by how complicated they seem.

    Reply

  47. I am with you, there is nothing better than fresh baked bread! I love how quick this recipe is…it means I can have that wonderful “bread making smell” in minutes. Plus, I get to eat bread?!? I’m in!!

    Reply

  48. My grandfather made irish soda bread every year for us… eating it with him is such a fond memory! Can you believe I have never made it before? Now I have no excuses… thank you for this easy to follow recipe!

    Reply

  49. I don’t think I’ve ever made Irish soda bread… And I used to be a bread baker back in my college days! I am so going to add this to my “make that” list. Pinning now!

    Reply

  54. Any day I can have homemade bread is a day to celebrate! As many types of bread that I’ve made, this Irish Soda Bread is not one of them. It looks delicious and the cut is perfect. You did a terrific job Chef G. I’m going to be trying this out when I go home.

    Reply

  55. Yum! It looks delicious! I used to make corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day, but haven’t really made anything in years. We will definitely need to try this!

    Reply

  65. Your soda bread looks great! Such a wonderful texture. I can never resit making a loaf of soda bread…or two…or more…each year!

    Reply

  69. I have made a few Irish Soda Bread recipes in the past but I add currants or raisins. My kids might enjoy this without the dried fruit.

    Reply

  72. I love making bread. There is something wonderful about the feel of dough in your hands. I have never made Irish Soda break, but will have to give your recipe a try! Yum…I will make some stew also.

    Reply

    • Well like any fresh bread you should eat in within a day or two. I do freeze part of it for later use if we are not going to eat it all.

  82. I have never made Irish Soda Bread before! That looks delicious! I always make corned beef and sauerkraut for dinner on St. Patrick’s Day so I will be adding this to the meal! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  98. Love this bread so much because it’s so easy and comes together in now time! We usually have it with soup or for breakfast we have it with honey, now I’m craving some!

    Reply

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