Recipes Bread Quick Bread Recipes Irish Soda Bread Recipes Amazingly Easy Irish Soda Bread 4.7 (1,611) 1,278 Reviews 294 Photos Irish soda bread is actually easy to make with flour, baking soda, and buttermilk. This is the best Irish soda bread around — the buttermilk gives this crusty loaf a delicious flavor! Submitted by MP Welty Updated on February 14, 2025 Save Rate Print Share Add Photo 294 294 294 294 Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 45 mins Total Time: 1 hr Servings: 20 Yield: 1 soda bread Jump to Nutrition Facts Jump to recipe This classic Irish soda bread is perfect for St. Patrick's Day, but you'll want to make it all year long. What Is Irish Soda Bread? Irish soda bread is a type of quick bread that relies on baking soda, not yeast, to rise. The bread contains buttermilk, which contains lactic acid. The acid reacts with the baking soda to create air bubbles, resulting in a perfectly risen dough. Soda bread became incredibly common during the Irish Potato Famine, as you can make it with only four ingredients: flour, salt, an acid, and baking soda. Irish Soda Bread Ingredients These are the basic, easy-to-find ingredients you'll need to make this top-rated Irish soda bread recipe: Flour: This classic Irish soda bread starts with all-purpose flour.Margarine: Margarine has a higher water content than butter, so the results are often softer. If you want, you can substitute Irish butter.Sugar: Four tablespoons of sugar add the perfect amount of sweetness.Leaveners: Baking soda and baking powder act as leaveners, which means they help the bread rise.Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor of the Irish soda bread.Buttermilk: A cup of buttermilk adds flavor and helps the loaf rise even higher.Egg: An egg lends richness and flavor. Plus, it helps bind the dough together.Butter: Brush the unbaked loaf with a mixture of buttermilk and butter before you bake it for extra flavor and shine. How to Make Irish Soda Bread You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade Irish soda bread: Combine the first six ingredients in a bowl. Stir in the buttermilk and egg.Turn the dough out and knead. Form the dough into a round loaf.Brush with butter and buttermilk, then cut an X in the top.Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. How to Store Irish Soda Bread Wrap the cooled Irish soda bread tightly in storage wrap or place it in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to four days. Can You Freeze Irish Soda Bread? Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in a layer of storage wrap, then follow it up with a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise "This was phenomenal," according to Joi Wolf. "I added raisins and the whole family gobbled it up." "This bread turned out AMAZING," raves luvz2cook. "I have never made Irish soda bread before and this recipe was so easy. My kids are going to LOVE having this with corned beef and cabbage tonight." "I have made this bread every single year for years," says Queen_Wagner. "It always turns out perfect! But to make it extra special, add caraway seeds, currants, and fresh orange peel... OH MY GOD. You will get raves." Editorial contributions by Corey Williams Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 1x 2x 4x Oops! Something went wrong. Our team is working on it. Original recipe (1X) yields 20 servings 4 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup butter, softened 4 tablespoons white sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk 1 large egg ¼ cup butter, melted ¼ cup buttermilk Directions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet. Stacy Allen / Food Styling: Julian Henserling / Prop Styling: Christina Daley Mix flour, softened butter, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Stacy Allen / Food Styling: Julian Henserling / Prop Styling: Christina Daley Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round loaf and place on the prepared baking sheet. Note that the dough will be a little sticky. Stacy Allen / Food Styling: Julian Henserling / Prop Styling: Christina Daley Combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk in a small bowl; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf. Stacy Allen / Food Styling: Julian Henserling / Prop Styling: Christina Daley Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness after 30 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes. Stacy Allen / Food Styling: Julian Henserling / Prop Styling: Christina Daley Slice and enjoy! Stacy Allen / Food Styling: Julian Henserling / Prop Styling: Christina Daley I Made It Print 2,474 home cooks made it! Nutrition Facts (per serving) 172 Calories 8g Fat 23g Carbs 3g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 20 Calories 172 % Daily Value * Total Fat 8g 10% Saturated Fat 5g 23% Cholesterol 28mg 9% Sodium 277mg 12% Total Carbohydrate 23g 8% Dietary Fiber 1g 2% Total Sugars 3g Protein 3g 7% Vitamin C 0mg 0% Calcium 66mg 5% Iron 1mg 7% Potassium 56mg 1% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. ** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data. (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.