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Traditional Irish Soda Bread: Quick, No Yeast Comfort Food

Close-up of a freshly baked loaf of soda bread, cut in half to show the soft, white interior and golden crust.
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Make this traditional Irish soda bread using simple pantry ingredients. It is crusty outside, soft inside, and requires no yeast, making it a fast and comforting homemade bread perfect alongside soup or stew.

Ingredients

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  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for slight sweetness)
  • 1/4 cup raisins or currants (optional, for traditional touch)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly flour a baking sheet.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. If using, mix in the sugar and raisins or currants now.
  3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk.
  4. Mix the ingredients quickly with a wooden spoon or your hands until just combined into a soft, slightly sticky dough. Do not overmix.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead it 3 or 4 times to bring it together into a round shape.
  6. Place the dough round on the 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 loaf to a wire rack to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm with butter.

Notes

  • If you do not have buttermilk, mix 1 3/4 cups of regular milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
  • For a golden crust, brush the top of the loaf lightly with a little extra buttermilk just before baking.
  • This is a beginner friendly bread making recipe; avoid kneading the dough too much to keep the bread tender.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://pureplatepath.com/easy-soda-bread-quick-no-yeast-recipe/