let me show you how to make this traditional Irish soda bread with this easy step-by-step guide.
Quick history
Bread soda or Irish soda bread originates from Europe in the Americas! There are various types of soda bread depending on which part of Europe you are from. You can use white flour or whole wheat flour to make it and you can also use both types of flour. It is dense, delicious and rustic in appearance.Soda bread uses a leavening agent called ‘baking soda’ instead of yeast. Please note, this is not baking powder.Apart from flour, salt, baking soda and buttermilk, you can add other ingredients like raisins, eggs, caraway seed or nuts.The X sign on the bread is actually a sign of the cross and the point of it is to bless the bread and chasing out fairies at the same time. Buttermilk is popularly used to make this no yeast bread, but you can also use yogurt, I haven’t personally used yogurt for this recipe, but I have done with flatbread and it is fantastic. This bread is popularly served along with other dishes on St Patrick’s day.
Why this easy Irish soda bread recipe is so good
This is a no yeast bread recipe and doesn’t require any skills at all to make. It is very easy, and a child can make this bread under supervision. Your kitchen smells amazing from the freshly baked bread Irish soda bread is not only great on St Patricks’ day with Guinness beef stew or soups alone, it is perfect all year round and also good with butter, jam, marmalade, or chocolate spread. No need to proof this bread as you would with other yeasted bread, thus making it the quickest homemade rustic bread to make when time is of the essence. It is dense, moist, and delicious. The buttermilk and salt add tons of flavor to this quick bread.
Ingredients for no yeast bread
All-purpose flour (plain flour) Buttermilk Salt Baking soda Variations Some Irish bread recipe uses the ingredient listed below but for the purpose of today’s post, I want to keep the recipe basic Raisins Butter Eggs
How to make Traditional Soda bread in easy steps
Preheat the oven at 200C/400F To a large bowl, add all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda together then make a well in the middle. Add buttermilk to the dry ingredients and mix together using a fork, table knife, or your hand until it comes together. Turn the dough onto a floured worktop and gently knead so it comes together that you can shape it. Never mind if it looks shaggy as long as you can work with it. Form a round shape and transfer the dough to a lined baking tray. Using a serrated knife, cut a deep cross on the dough and place it in the oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the bread is golden on the outer part. Leave to cool, slice, and enjoy! You can serve it with butter, marmalade, or as a side to this creamy healthy crustless chicken pot pie.
How to make buttermilk
Don’t have buttermilk on hand, do not fret as you can make yours using these everyday ingredients. To make your own buttermilk at home, you would need the following. Juice of 1 Lemon or white vinegar (about 2 tablespoons) 1 cup of milk (you can use full-fat or semi-skimmed) I used semi-skimmed for this quick bread How to make it: this is very easy, you simply add the lemon juice or white vinegar to the milk. Stir together to combine and leave to sit on the counter in room temperature for about 10 to 20 minutes until the milk curdles. Use as desired. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Buttermilk can also be used in pancakes, to marinate chicken, or scones also known as biscuits.
Tips for making the best soda bread
Don’t go overboard with the baking soda, I don’t claim to be a skilled baker, so I always go safe on baking soda when a recipe calls for it. Storage: This no-yeast bread would last for 3 to 4 days in a bread canister or in a plastic or paper bag tightly wrapped. The bread does dry out is left in open to the air.
Other recipes on the blog you would love
Quick garlic bread: this is good, you would have it on the table with your pasta dishes or soups every time.
More St. Patricks day recipe
Irish Coffee, St, Paddy’s day won’t be the same without this coffee dessert. Colcannon, this might be the best mashed potatoes you would ever make If you made this easy soda bread (no yeast bread) recipe, don’t forget to leave me feedback and rate it 5 stars. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? PLEASE RATE IT AND LEAVE ME A COMMENT. USE #THEDINNERBITE OR TAG @THEDINNERBITE ON INSTAGRAM SO I CAN SEE YOUR PHOTOS, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR CREATIONS. THANK YOU!
