St. Patrick's Day Irish Soda Bread Recipe (2024)

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St. Patrick’s Day Irish Soda Bread Recipe is one of those easy to make, 4-ingredient bread recipes that will have you coming back for more. So simple, no yeast & oh so delicious. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!

I originally had something else planned for today. But then I was given a little inspiration on Sunday & Monday that prompted me to dig into my Irish heritage & create something to get a little closer to it.

St. Patrick's Day Irish Soda Bread Recipe (1)

St. Patrick's Day Irish Soda Bread Recipe (2)

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I decided that since I had never made Irish Soda Bread before I would give it a try. I pulled a few different recipes & then sort of compiled them into what would work for me & the ingredients I had on hand along with how I like to bake. The end result was so much better than expected. This has now become one of the easiest & most loved bread recipes we make.

Soda Bread Recipe

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St. Patrick's Day Irish Soda Bread Recipe (3)

This is so simple & we make it all the time- even when it’s not St. Patrick’s Day. The kids are loving it as toast (with the raspberry marmalade on it) for breakfast at the moment.

But it goes great on the side of meatloaf & mashed potatoes or with a hot bowl of soup. With just 4 ingredients & no yeast or rising time required, you can’t go wrong with this.

HOW DO YOU MAKE Irish Soda Bread?

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Lay a sheet of parchment paper over baking sheet. Set aside.
  3. Mix flour, salt & baking soda together in mixer bowl.
  4. Make a well in the center- pour in your buttermilk.
  5. Mix with the paddle attachment of your mixer or you can kneed in by hand until the dough is soft. Should be fairly wet but not sticky.
  6. Turn dough on lightly floured surface & kneed 3-4 times to smooth.
  7. Shape into flat circle – mine was about 1-2 inches thick but still flat in shape.
  8. Place on prepared parchment lined sheet & cut a cross from edge to edge on top.
  9. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden. When it sounds hollow when tapped- it’s ready.

St. Patrick's Day Irish Soda Bread Recipe (4)

St. Patrick’s Day Irish Soda Bread

I just love theartisanstyle of the round loaf. It looks so rustic & hearty.

Scroll to the bottom for the Printable Recipe

To make this recipe you will need…

  • all-purpose flour
  • kosher or sea salt
  • baking soda
  • buttermilk

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St. Patrick's Day Irish Soda Bread Recipe (10)

St. Patrick's Day Irish Soda Bread Recipe (11)

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St. Patrick’s Day Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Course Side Dish

Servings: 1 loaf

St. Patrick’s Day Irish Soda Bread Recipe is one of those easy to make, 4-ingredient bread recipes that will have you coming back for more. So simple, no yeast & oh so delicious. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 28 minutes mins

Total Time 38 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 3⅔ cup all-purpose flour plus a little more for dusting (if it still looks too wet after mixing, add more flour in 1/4 cup increments, adding no more than 1 additional cup total- mixing in between each addition.) Measure using the spoon & level method so you don't end up with too much.
  • 1 tsp kosher or sea salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • cup buttermilk

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

  • Lay a sheet of parchment paper over the baking sheet. Set aside.

  • Mix the flour, salt & baking soda together in a large mixer bowl.

  • Make a well in the center- pour in the buttermilk.

  • Mix with the paddle attachment of your mixer or you can kneed in by hand until the dough is soft. Should be fairly wet but not sticky.

  • Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface & knead 3-4 times to smooth.

  • Shape into flat circle - mine was about 1-2 inches thick but still flat in shape.

  • Place on prepared the parchment lined sheet & cut a cross from edge to edge on top.

  • Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden. When it sounds hollow when tapped- it's ready.

Notes

**If you don't have buttermilk (which I didn't) you can put 1-3/4 tbsp vinegar in measuring cup & then fill the rest with regular milk until you reach 1-3/4 cup. Let sit for 5 minutes before mixing in.

Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Taste of the Frontier cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.

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Reader Interactions

St. Patrick's Day Irish Soda Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between Irish bread and Irish soda bread? ›

Irish brown bread has a deep, nutty flavor because of its wheat flour and wheat bran while soda bread uses only white flour. Soda bread is slightly sweet and more scone-like while Irish brown bread is more savory with a tender interior.

Why do we bake Irish soda bread for St Patrick's Day? ›

It's also a symbol of celebration, baked in droves in the lead up to Saint Patrick's Day. However, the humble soda bread began as an affordable necessity and was the solution to many food problems facing Ireland at the time.

Why is my Irish soda bread gummy? ›

And finally, don't immediately cut into the Fast Irish Soda bread when you pull it out of the oven. Although this bread is best served warm, cutting into it too quickly will turn the bread gummy.

How are you supposed to eat Irish soda bread? ›

How to Eat Irish Soda Bread. This versatile bread works for any meal, but Irish soda bread is a natural for breakfast, whether simply spread with (Irish) butter and jam or alongside that hearty fry-up known as a full Irish breakfast. It's also wonderful with a cup of tea in the afternoon or as a late-night snack.

Why is my Irish soda bread so dry? ›

It's important to remember no to overmix your ingredients. Irish Soda Bread is a dense bread, similar to a scone, but can easily become dry if overmixed. Quickly add the wet ingredients to a well you've made in the dry ingredients, and mix with your hands or a dough hook until it just comes together.

Should you toast Irish soda bread? ›

Although soda bread is ideal for serving at room temperature, it is better to serve it warm. The thick and cakey texture of the bread and warm temperature brings out its hearty flavors. If you can't have it fresh from the over at least have it toasted.

How many days does Irish soda bread last? ›

Tightly wrap your leftover bread and place it in an airtight container. There's no need to refrigerate. As for how long soda bread lasts: Irish soda bread tends to dry out faster than other breads. The bread will be good for 3-4 days or up to three months if frozen.

Why is my soda bread raw in the middle? ›

Your oven is too hot if it is uncooked in the center. Try lowering the temp on your oven by 25F and extending the bake time. Don't put anything on the top of the bread to aid in browning until the last few min. of cooking, and use an instant read thermometer (target temp to pull is 190F).

What is Irish soda bread called in Ireland? ›

In Ulster, the wholemeal variety is usually known as wheaten bread and is normally sweetened, while the term "soda bread" is restricted to the white savoury form. In the southern provinces of Ireland, the wholemeal variety is usually known as brown bread and is almost identical to the Ulster wheaten.

Do they eat Irish soda bread in Ireland? ›

Soda bread is a type of bread that uses baking soda instead of yeast as a leavening agent. It is a traditional bread in Ireland and has been a staple food for many Irish families for centuries.

Can you over knead Irish soda bread? ›

Barely any kneading is necessary, but if you overknead it, it makes for a pretty tough bread. Start by mixing the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar together. Dice up the cold butter and cut it into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter or the tips of your fingers.

How do I know when soda bread is done? ›

The most traditional doneness test calls for thumping the hot bread in the center to hear if it's hollow-sounding. A more foolproof indication is temperature; the loaf will register 200°F to 205°F when an instant-read thermometer is inserted in the center of the bread.

How do I know if my soda bread is done? ›

If the top is getting too dark while baking, tent the bread with some aluminum foil. Check for doneness also by inserting a long, thin skewer into the center. If it comes out clean, it's done.

What's the difference between bread and soda bread? ›

What is soda bread? Soda bread is a type of quick bread which takes its name from the baking soda (or, sodium bicarbonate) that is used as a leavening agent instead of the traditional yeast. Traditionally, soda bread is made using flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk.

Do people in Ireland eat Irish soda bread? ›

Ireland, for one, has embraced it's kind of bread – the soda bread. It is a basic staple among the Irish that they call it Irish Soda Bread. It's common to see the locals pair this famous bread with a bottle of Guinness too.

What is the difference between bread and soda bread? ›

Sourdough is a healthier alternative to regular white or whole wheat bread. Although it has comparable nutrients, the lower phytate levels mean it is more digestible and nutritious. The prebiotics also help to keep your gut bacteria happy, and it may be less likely to spike blood sugar levels.

Is Irish soda bread better for you? ›

Nutrition Notes

Whole-wheat soda bread is a healthy addition to your plate! One serving—a 1/2-inch-thick slice—provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals.

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