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Traditional Irish Soda Bread: Quick, Crusty, and Comforting

A thick slice of golden brown soda bread with a rustic crust resting on a white plate indoors.
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Make this traditional Irish Soda Bread, a quick, no-yeast bread that bakes up crusty on the outside and soft inside. It is a simple pantry recipe perfect for serving with soup or butter.

Ingredients

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  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 ¾ cups buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for slight sweetness)
  • ¼ cup raisins or currants (optional, for traditional flavor)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly flour a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. If using, mix in the sugar and raisins or currants.
  3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk all at once.
  4. Mix the ingredients quickly with a wooden spoon or your hands until just combined into a shaggy dough. Do not overmix.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead the dough 3 or 4 times to bring it together into a round loaf shape.
  6. Place the loaf on your prepared baking sheet. Cut a deep cross into the top of the loaf, about half an inch deep.
  7. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  8. Transfer the soda bread to a wire rack to cool slightly before slicing.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can brush the top of the loaf with a little melted butter before baking.
  • If you do not have buttermilk, mix 1 ¾ cups of whole milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
  • This bread is best eaten the day it is made for the best texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbymia.com/easy-soda-bread-quick-crusty-loaf-recipe/