Description
This Irish Soda Bread recipe is a traditional quick bread made with a combination of unbleached all-purpose and whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, butter, and buttermilk. The bread has a mild, biscuit-like texture and is perfect served warm with salted butter and jam or toasted alongside eggs and corned beef hash.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
- 1¾ cups low-fat buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Move the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) to ensure proper heat for baking the bread.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, measure out the flours, baking soda, and salt. Whisk them together thoroughly to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the melted and cooled butter along with the low-fat buttermilk. Use a rubber spatula to mix the ingredients just until incorporated, avoiding overmixing.
- Knead the Dough: With floured hands, knead the dough right in the bowl for about 1 minute to bring it together and develop structure.
- Shape and Score: Form the dough into a round ball and place it on a piece of parchment paper. Lightly sprinkle the top with flour, then use a sharp knife to score an “X” on the surface to help the bread expand while baking.
- Transfer to Dutch Oven: Using the parchment paper, lower the dough gently into a round Dutch oven, which helps create a steamy environment for crust development.
- Bake Covered: Cover with the lid and bake for 40 minutes. This traps steam, ensuring a tender crumb and crust formation.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the lid and bake an additional 10 minutes to brown and crisp the crust to your liking.
- Cool and Slice: Use the parchment to lift the bread out of the Dutch oven and place it on a wire rack to cool. Once cool enough to handle, transfer to a cutting board and slice.
- Serve: Serve warm, optionally with softened salted butter and jam for a traditional Irish treat.
Notes
- Irish Soda Bread is a quick bread that uses baking soda as a leavening agent instead of yeast, making it fast and easy to prepare.
- The texture is similar to the inside of a biscuit with a mild, comforting flavor perfect for breakfast or snack time.
- For an authentic experience, serve warm with salted butter and jam or pair toasted slices with eggs and corned beef hash.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 214 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 504 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg
