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How to Make Irish Soda Bread

How to Make Irish Soda Bread – a photo tutorial on baking the yeast-free classic Irish soda bread. This recipe is gluten-free, but you can easily use regular all-purpose flour. This goof-proof bread recipe comes together quickly!

 How to Make Irish Soda Bread

Can we can have a mature conversation about how you should drop everything right now and bake this rad Irish Soda Bread?

Don’t even go to work, walk your dog, or put on pants. Just. Bake. Dis. Crunk. Loaf.

 How to Make Irish Soda Bread - a classic recipe for St. Patrick's Day!

Your butter needs a companion, and your face needs some comfort.

This recipe is a classic take on traditional Irish Soda Bread.

What is Irish Soda Bread?:

Traditional Irish Soda bread is made with bread flour, buttermilk, and baking soda instead of yeast.

No yeast = no wondering if yeastly creatures are alive and active = no waiting for bread dough to rise = super quick slam bam thank you ma’am bread. Many people add raisins (or currants) and caraway seeds for some extra stellar flavor, which is just bril. Like, don’t skip the raisins and caraway seeds.

I know what you’re thinking…

#DontWorryIt’sGlutenFree.

Or not. Whatever’s your jam.

What Type of Flour To Use:

I used my gluten-free all-purpose flour instead of bread flour and it turned out magnificently. You’d never know the difference! You can also use regular all-purpose flour if you don’t follow a gluten-free diet.

How to Make Irish Soda Bread:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a large baking sheet using olive oil or cooking spray. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Add the raisins and caraway seeds and stir well to combine.
  2. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the buttermilk into the well. Stir the buttermilk into the flour mixture, starting in the center and working your way to the outside of the bowl until a dough forms. If needed, add additional buttermilk (2 tablespoons at a time) to form the dough.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly-floured surface and knead for 1 minute. Form a large disc out of the dough. Cut the dough in half with a knife and with floured hands, form two small discs out of the dough.
  4. Using a serrated knife, cut a 1/4-inch deep X into each disc of dough.
  5. Place both discs of dough on the lightly-oiled baking sheet. Be sure to place the discs far apart, as they will rise while baking.
  6. Bake for 45 to 65 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and bread tests clean when poked with a knife. Remove from the oven and allow bread to cool at least 20 minutes.
  7. Place Irish Soda Bread on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut slices 1 to 1.5 inches thick. Slather with butter/and or jam and enjoy alongside your favorite entree!

 How to Make Irish Soda Bread - a classic recipe for St. Patrick's Day!

Let’s explore the possibilities with this bread for a minute. No brainer: bake it for St. Patrick’s Day to go alongside your Shepherd’s Pie…or just any dang day you please.

My other Irish soda thoughts consist of every sandwich ever (turkey, bacon, avo for.the.win!), French toast, French onion soup, bread pudding, bruschetta, butter, jam, and personalized pizza. Open-faced breakfast sandinger with all the eggs, bacon, and salsa con carne asada. Ugh stop making me hungry, you menace.

Wah wah wah wait….look at this:

Breakfast Toasts with Soft Boiled Egg and Avocado on Irish Soda Bread

I’ve been breakfasting like a champ by toasting up hearty slices of Irish soda bread, slathering them in butter, layering them with avocado, and topping them with soft boiled eggs and sunflower seeds. Just.Whoa for your facetrap. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t drizzled the whole dang thing in maple syrup, because: blood sugar.

Back to my soda story.

 How to Make Irish Soda Bread - a classic recipe for St. Patrick's Day!

Questions? Hit me up style!

How to Make Irish Soda Bread - a classic recipe for St. Patrick's Day!

Classic Irish Soda Bread

Gluten-free Irish soda bread made just like the classic. A rustic yeast-free bread recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
2 loaves Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients

  • 4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour, + more for dusting
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
  • 1 cup raisins or currants, rinsed in hot water and patted dry
  • 2 1/4 cups buttermilk

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a large baking sheet using olive oil or cooking spray. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Add the raisins and caraway seeds and stir well to combine. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture.
  • Pour the buttermilk into the well.
  • Stir the buttermilk into the flour mixture, starting in the center and working your way to the outside of the bowl until a dough forms. If needed, add additional buttermilk (2 tablespoons at a time) to form the dough.
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly-floured surface and knead for 1 minute. Form a large disc out of the dough.
  • Cut the dough in half with a knife and with floured hands, form two small discs out of the dough.
  • Using a serrated knife, cut a 1/4-inch deep X into each disc of dough.
  • Place both discs of dough on the lightly-oiled baking sheet. Be sure to place the discs far apart, as they will rise while baking.
  • Bake for 45 to 65 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and bread tests clean when poked with a knife. Remove from the oven and allow bread to cool at least 20 minutes.
  • Place Irish Soda Bread on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut slices 1 to 1.5 inches thick. Slather with butter/and or jam and enjoy alongside your favorite entree!

Nutrition

Serving: 1grams
Course: Breads
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bread recipe, irish soda bread, yeast free
Servings: 2 loaves Irish Soda Bread
Author: Julia

How to Make Irish Soda Bread - a classic recipe for St. Patrick's Day!

How to Make Irish Soda Bread - a classic recipe for St. Patrick's Day!

The buttaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

!!

Recipe Rating




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Colleen Hunter Hancock

Tuesday 15th of March 2022

Hi, I am also wondering if this delicious bread can be made without the buttermilk because I am dairy free as well as gluten free.

So love your recipes and your photos and narratives!

Julia

Thursday 17th of March 2022

Hi Colleen! You can try using full-fat canned coconut milk and a little cider vinegar (I'd do 1 Tbsp) to replace the buttermilk! Hope you love it!

Patricia

Tuesday 15th of March 2022

Hi! We are also dairy free would this recipe work with almond milk instead of buttermilk? Thank you!

Julia

Thursday 17th of March 2022

Hi Patricia! Try using full-fat canned coconut milk and 1 Tbsp of cider vinegar. :) Hope you enjoy!

Ashley White

Tuesday 24th of March 2015

Can Bob's gluten free bread mix be used?

Julia

Tuesday 24th of March 2015

Yes, I used their gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour :) Hope you enjoy!

Joanne

Monday 23rd of February 2015

I have memories of dry and bland Irish soda bread ingrained in my memory...but this is really the opposite of that bread! Looks SO moist! The way good bread should be.

Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies

Thursday 19th of February 2015

There are many, many things I love about St Patrick's day, and Irish soda bread is definitely one of them! Yours looks heavenly and I'm loving the idea of making a sandwich on it. Grilled cheese? Yes plzzz

Julia

Friday 20th of February 2015

Thanks, girl! Green beer + Irish soda bread FTW!

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