Authentic 4-Ingredient Irish Bread (Printable version)
Rustic Irish soda bread boasting a golden crust and tender crumb, made with just four key ingredients.
# What you'll need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or dust lightly with flour.
02 - Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in large mixing bowl until evenly blended.
03 - Create well in center of dry ingredients. Pour buttermilk into well and stir with wooden spoon until shaggy dough forms.
04 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Gently knead just until dough holds together. Shape into round, slightly flattened loaf about 2 inches thick. Place on prepared baking sheet.
05 - Cut deep X across top of loaf with sharp knife. Bake 30-35 minutes until golden brown and bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
06 - Transfer bread to wire rack. Cool at least 30 minutes before slicing to maintain texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- No yeast, no proofing, no waiting around—just honest bread in under an hour
- The shaggy, rustic dough forgives even the most nervous beginner baker
02 -
- Over-kneading makes this bread tough as leather, so when the dough barely holds together, you're done
- The X cut isn't decorative—it helps the bread bake evenly and prevents the center from being raw
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients give you the most reliable rise every single time
- That hollow tap sound is never wrong—trust your ears over your eyes