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Easy Traditional Irish Soda Bread

A rustic, no-yeast Irish bread made with flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. Quick, simple, and ready in under an hour.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Autumn
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Bread Dough
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter cold and cubed
  • 1.75 cups buttermilk cold

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
  3. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Add buttermilk and mix gently until dough forms.
  5. Shape into a round loaf and place on prepared baking sheet.
  6. Score a deep cross on top of the dough.
  7. Bake 35–40 minutes until golden brown and hollow sounding.
  8. Cool on wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

Do not overmix the dough. Best served warm with butter.