I ate Irish Soda Bread for the first time about 7 years ago. It was this delicious, dense, biscuit-like bread that I slathered with butter and enjoyed with a good cup of coffee.
A friend made Irish Soda Bread for a bake sale fundraiser, and while it was nowhere near St. Patrick’s Day, it sold like hotcakes. When I ate it, I could see why.
It was unlike other breads I had ever eaten before. Almost a bit like cake but also still very much bread. It was also slightly sweet in a light and surprising way.
The reason for its unique texture is due to the lack of yeast. Instead of using yeast to help the bread rise, it uses baking soda. Hence the name Soda Bread.
So, what exactly is Irish Soda Bread?
Irish Soda Bread is one of the easiest brads to make. It’s a very low maintenance bread, unlike a sour dough. Traditionally, it contained a few simple ingredients that included:
- Flour
- Salt
- Buttermilk
- Baking soda
That said, I added a few more ingredients in to give the bread more of a rich flavor. Most modern traditional recipes like mine will also include butter, an egg and a bit of sugar.
How does it work without yeast?
I mentioned that the baking soda is used in place of yeast in Irish Soda Bread. But, it is actually a chemical reaction between the baking soda and the buttermilk that produces carbon dioxide and causes the bread to rise.
Is Irish Soda Bread really Irish?
Well…technically no…but sort of. The first soda bread has been traced to American Indians who used pearl ash to help their breads rise. But then the process was adopted in Ireland in the 1830s and the rest is history.
Ireland was one of the poorer countries at that time and the people didn’t have an abundance of ingredients to work with. Irish Soda Bread was born more out of necessity using the inexpensive ingredients they had on hand at the time.
Why the X in Irish Soda Bread?
The X on Irish Soda Bread is actually a cross. Some legends say that it was to “let the devil out” while baking the bread and other places say it was done to make the bread break apart.
Whatever the reason, the X (or cross) is an important element. It actually helps the bread to cook through. Because the bread is so dense if you don’t cook it to the right temperature it might be a bit undercooked in the center. Making a nice, deep X in the bread allows the heat to get to the center.
What to eat it with
As I mentioned in the opening, I like to eat Irish Soda Bread with butter and have it as a snack. But, it was traditionally eaten with the Irish soups and stews. It’s really perfect to eat either way. It’s also very delightful with some butter topped with jam too. It turns it into a bit of a breakfast bread. You can find my Guinness Irish Stew {HERE}.
Storing the bread
Since it is a baked good, you’re not going to get a long shelf life out of Irish Soda Bread. It is best to make it and eat it in the same day. However, if you store it in an airtight container then you might be able to get three or four days out of it. You can also freeze it just as you would other baked goods. Here is one good option and here is another one.
More Irish Recipes and food for St. Patrick’s Day
Looking to make a few more Irish goodies or looking for some options for St. Patrick’s Day? Try some of these!
- Guinness Irish Stew with Braised Beef {HERE}
- Cottage Pie {HERE}
- Red Skinned Mashed Potatoes {HERE}
- Reuben Slider Sandwiches {HERE}
- Baileys Chocolate Cake {HERE}
Thank you so much for visiting today! I hope you will come back and visit again. Get the full, printable recipe for my Irish Soda Bread recipe below.
For more made-from-scratch recipes, click here.
Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
Irish Soda Bread Ingredients
- 4 cups of flour
- 1 and 1/4 cups buttermilk
- 4 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 Tbsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup softened butter (one stick) I use salted butter.
- 1 egg
Glaze
- 1/4 cup salted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Mix together the dry ingredients: Flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Use a whisk to make sure it is well combined.
- Add in the wet ingredients: buttermilk, butter, egg and use a hand mixer to help combine everything.
- Turn out the dough on a floured surface and kneed it for about 10 minutes. Dust it with flour as needed. It's done when it is about the consistency of Playdough.
- Form dough into a loaf and put it on a cookie sheet with parchment paper. The parchment paper is going to be important to keep the bottom of the bread from over cooking.
- Cut a large X in to the top of the dough. This is very important to help the dough cook through.
- Add the dough to the oven for 15 minutes.
- While the bread is cooking, make the glaze by melting butter (microwave or stovetop) over a low flame and let it rest for a few minutes. Continue to mix it on the stove top to keep it from burning.
- Add the buttermilk to the butter and mix well. Continue to mix occasionally.
- When the 15 minutes are done, take the bread out of the oven and and brush the glaze over the top of it. Then put it back into the oven for another 15 minutes.
- When that 15 minutes is done, take the bread out of the oven and glaze it again. Then put it back in the oven for another 15 minutes.
- When that 15 minutes is up, use a tooth pick and check the middle of your bread. If it comes out clean it is done. If it doesn't, glaze it again and put it back in for a final 10 minutes.
- When done, let the bread rest for 20 minutes. Then serve with butter, jam or with a stew or soup.
Oh yummmmm! I haven’t had Irish soda bread in forever! I need to make some ASAP!
Tonights meal needs some bread. I have the corn beef in the slow cooker so time to make this bread.
I am excited to try this! I just love homemade bread. This looks so tasty.
It looks so yummy, I’ll have to make it once, especially since I’m stuck at home in quarantine
Who knew Irish soda bread was not really Irish. I do not bake too much but I have to try this bread soon and make it with one of my favorite dishes.
I love to add currants or cranberries to my Irish Soda Bread
I’ve actually never tried to make Irish soda bread at home. This looks really yummy. It looks like it would be perfect to have with dinner.
Irish soda bread is one of my favorites! Yours looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try your recipe.
This looks so good. I love soda bread. It’s one of my favorite breads. It’s been awhile since I’ve had it though. I’ll have to give this recipe a try soon.
I made this once a long time ago. I didn’t know what the x is for though, that is so interesting!
We love making Irish Soda Bread. Yours looks fantastic!
I have been missing out. I have never had Irish soda bread before. I really want to try it.
I love homemade bread! We need to make this week as we are trapped in the house!
I love how easy this bread is to make! I think this one will be my new favorite bread recipe!
I’ve never had Irish Soda Bread, but since soup is on the menu plan for tomorrow night, I might need to make a loaf tomorrow. It looks and sounds delicious!
This looks so good! I’ll definitely make this even after St. Patrick’s Day!
Interesting I never heard of Irish Soda. Will have to ty this. Thanks for sharing.
My husband’s Irish and his mom used to make this every year. I offered but he didn’t want it this year but I kinda do
I have never actually had soda bread! It would be fun to make this with the kids while we are home.
This recipe sounds easy enough to make. The final result looks delicious and airy. I totally want to give this a try this weekend.
This looks like such a simple and filling bread. Will be trying soon!
Such a good recipe. Much like the one my Irish great-grandmother used. The recipe was in her head, so it was lost when she passed.
I have never heard of this type of bread before. I’ve never made bread either. Looks yummy.
Gosh that bread looks amazing! I’m going to have to try it soon!
This is such a great recipe – I mean who doesn’t love some Irish Soda Bread! I’ve not tried making it myself before but I’m going to change that for sure!
This is very interesting I never had soda bread before. But it surely looks delicious like its crunchy outside and soft in the inside.
I love the easy to follow recipe and just 4 basic ingredients. I will have to try making this tomorrow. We have to try and be creative with our meals, especially now that our area is on community quarantine because of the virus.
This bread has been on my to do list for a while. Excited to try your recipe!
Did I miss it or do you not list the oven temperature in your recipe? Has anyone made this?
It’s 375. I had to watch the video to find it. Hopefully the author will add it into the text recipe!
Sorry! I added that to the recipe card now.
What temp should the oven be?
375
This looks delicious. I will have to try it out for sure. I love fresh bread in the house.
Irish soda bread is one of my favorite breads bar none. I love the flavor and the texture. I’ll have to give this recipe a try.
This sounds like a great recipe. I love soda bread. It’s so good AND so easy. That’s the best combo!
I am a huge fan of bread. Looking forward to giving this recipe a try.
I am willing to try out this delicious recipe. Will bake without yeast.
This bread looks amazing. Soda bread is probably my favorite. It’s so good. I’ve been wanting to make some too. I’ll have to give this a try.
I love that there is a story behind this bread.
Irish soda bread is a family favorite here, too. Need to bake some soon!
This looks delicious and perfect for celebrating St. Patty’s Day!
This looks like really good and tasty bread. I better try this on weekend for my siblings.
I’ve never made Irish soda bread. And honestly I don’t recall ever eating it. This looks really good. I can’t wait to try it.
Sounds really great. Eating this with Nutella would definitely awesome. Can’t wait to try.
Yum! Haven’t tried this bread before but your Irish Soda bread looks absolutely delicious!
I am a fan of making homemade bread, and this recipe looks really delicious. Thank you!
I think the reason why there’s an X on it is to cook it thoroughly because the bread will break out a little. Same reason why we slice our hotdogs when frying. 😌
That might be the technical reason, yes. 🙂
Oh! We have this in our country or it’s just similar. But the name sounds fancy! Love this!
I’ve never had this type of bread before but it really does sound tasty!!! I would love to try it if I could. One day I will try my hand at making bread!
This bread looks yummy! I feel like I would want to dip it in some olive oil and enjoy it with carrots.
I definitely wanna make this!!
Firstly, your site and photos are insanely gorgeous!!! This recipe looks bomb! Great job girl!
I love baking bread and Irish soda bread has been on my list forever! I always bake with yeast though so this will be very interesting 🙂
Nothing is more satisfying than freshly baked bread. Baked a lot last year. Haven’t tried this one, though. Going to save your recipe.
I love the technique. I would try this recipe with a bowl of chicken macaroni soup.
Yum! A bread that I should make at home! Sounds easy and delicious!
I’ve made it and my whole family loved it. Our new favorite bread!
I don’t think I’ve ever had Irish Soda bread, but this recipe sounds amazing. I may have to try it!
I am addict to bread….. This one looks easy to make
I love Irish Soda Bread and make it every year for St. Patty’s day. I’m going to print your recipe and try it this year!
we do love to bake at home (my daughter way more than me; and i know she will love to try this)
I’m always looking for a great bread recipe!
I can’t wait to start baking again.
This looks delish! I’ve always wanted to make this. Thanks for the recipe!
Wow this looks good. I’ve never heard of Soda Irish Bread before. Now I’m curious and wanted to try this.
I need to try this recipe, looks simple and the end result, homemade bread is what we love at home
Im a type of person who loves to try authentic food from different country/places. One thing why I enjoy traveling as well.
Here in Philippines, we have a similar bread. And we often called it as “biyak”. Hehe
I have not had soda bread for awhile. It’s a good time to revisit!
Okay, i CANNOT WAIT to try making this!
I’ve never heard of this bread. It looks delicious.
Surely, my husband will love this Irish Soda Bread! I am planning to make this for him tomorrow.
That looks so yummy and easy to make. My kids love soda bread, can’t wait to try this.
This Irish Soda bread looks so good! I have never had this before, so would love to give it a try someday soon 😍
Such a great recipe for a traditional bread done the traditional way!
What type of flour do I use for this recipe? I’m making it this week, and I don’t want to mess it up by getting the wrong kind.
This soda bread turned out amazing!!!🙌 I have tried other recipes but the others always seemed to come out more dense and not so flaky. This one was perfect!! I really believe brushing the loaf with the glaze every 15 mins is what made a huge difference. From now on, this will be my go to recipe for our St. Patty’s Day dinner. 😊💚
I love Irish Soda Bread but I’ve never made it myself. Pinning!
I am enormously thrilled to try this recipe out. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
This Irish soda bread recipe is really easy to make and perfect for dipping in Irish beef stew.
I don’t think I’ve ever had this. It looks pretty good, but I am a sucker for bread.
Oh my! This is such a really amazing recipe! It look so good! I know my family would love this so much!
That was interesting, I wasn’t aware that soda bread didn’t have yeast in it. It does sound yummy, I’m sure I’d enjoy this with butter.
Oh I miss this. I haven’t had Irish soda bread for a while. It’s time to make it!
This sounds drool worthy! I can’t believe I’ve never tried Irish Soda Bread myself. I’ll have to add this to my to-make list STAT.
I think this might be the year i finally try my hand at Irish Soda Bread! thanks for sharing your recipe! the pics are beautiful
A bread I can actually make! I can’t wait to try it! I always kill the yeast making regular bread!
Been meaning to try making this everytime I see pics or a post about it.. now it is perfect timing for St.Patrick’s Day..
My colleague always brings this in when we are bringing in treats to the office. Really good!
I’ve always been intimidated by making bread but you really make this look like something I can do! And I can’t believe how quick it is to make as well. Looks soooo good. My fam is going to love it! Yumm!!
I baked different kinds of bread before but never tried baking irish soda bread yet. I will have to try this. Looks good!
OMG, I had no idea it was so simple to make this recipe! I can’t wait to give it a try and enjoy it with a nice cup of coffee. I’ve always wanted to make bread at home.
Yum. It looks like it turned out tasty.
Anyone make the dough ahead of time, like the night before and refrigerate and then throw in the oven before dinner? I’m headed to a family members house for dinner right after work. Was going to make it ahead of time, but it bakes up so fast and is so good warm out of the oven, that I thought maybe I’d make the dough ahead of time and then throw it in the oven when I get there. Just not sure if the dough would hold up well unbaked for roughly 20 hours in the fridge.
This is what I wanted to do! I Googled it, and it said not to, but if you had a different experience, I would love to know it!
I’m not sure how well it would hold up either. Since the rise comes from the baking soda versus yeast, which needs the time.
This came out delicious. I just used 2 TBS of sugar. Will make it as my go to bread. So easy.
Made this recipe. It came out great.
I am going to try this soon! But should I use salted or unsalted butter? Also all purpose flour or self rising? Sorry but I’m really not much of a baker. ☺️
All purpose flour and salted butter. 🙂 I’ll clarify this in the blog post.