Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a Classic Irish Treat: Irish Soda Bread

A Brief History of Irish Soda Bread

Irish soda bread has its roots in traditional Irish baking, where it was often made with basic ingredients like buttermilk, flour, and baking soda. The addition of baking powder revolutionized the recipe, making it lighter and fluffier. Learn more about the evolution of quick breads and chemical-leavened baked goods.

Recipe Details

• Yields: 1 loaf
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Active Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 6 ounces unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg

Instructions

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Mixing the Dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine:
  - flour
  - sugar
  - baking soda
  - baking powder
  - salt

Switch to the paddle attachment and add 4 ounces (1 stick) of the softened butter. Mix on medium-low speed until the butter is fully incorporated.

Add 1 cup of buttermilk and the egg, mixing until well combined.

Kneading and Shaping

Replace the paddle attachment with the dough hook and knead the dough on medium-low speed until it’s smooth and elastic. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few more times by hand. Form the dough into a round shape and place it on the prepared baking sheet.

The Finishing Touches

Melt the remaining 2 ounces (1/2 stick) of butter and combine it with the remaining 1/4 cup of buttermilk in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Brush the loaf with the glaze, then use a sharp knife to cut an “X” into the top of the loaf.

Baking and Serving

Bake the loaf for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Check for doneness after 30 minutes. Transfer the loaf to a cooling rack before slicing and serving. Enjoy!