Soda bread is one of the most iconic Irish foods.
It is a great alternative to normal bread, as it is much quicker to prepare and bake. It can also be served instead of scones or cakes as a sweet, if cooked with fruit and sugar.
There are various ways of making it, depending on what part of Ireland you are in. In Ulster, Soda Bread is traditionally made with white flour and is savoury. Bread made with wholemeal flour and sweetened with sugar is usually referred to a ‘Wheaten Bread’.
Throughout the south of Ireland, the wholemeal flour bread is known as ‘Brown Bread’, with Soda Bread being the white sweetened version.
Soda Bread is made without any yeast, and it is the baking soda mixing with the lactic acid in the buttermilk that causes it to rise.
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
What you will need
4 and 1/4 cups of all purpose flour
3 tablespoon of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of baking soda
4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1 cup of raisins
1 egg (slightly beaten)
1 and 3/4 of a cup of buttermilk
Optional extra ingredients
Caraway seeds
Orange zest
Here is a YouTube video taking you through the Soda Bread recipe step-by-step. It is the same method to make savoury Soda Bread, just don’t add the sugar and fruit.
More great Irish recipes
Oat scones in just a couple of minutes – absolutely delicious!
How to make Guinness Chocolate Cake with Bailey’s Buttercream
How to make delicious Irish Soda Bread with this easy recipe
Darina Allen demonstrates how to prepare a leg of lamb for roasting
Irish TV chef makes delicious Guinness onion soup and chocolate stout pudding
How to make Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes with Baileys buttercream
How to make Guinness Chocolate Cake with Bailey’s Buttercream
Irish TV chef makes delicious Guinness onion soup and chocolate stout pudding
Jimmy Doherty talks potatoes: "I’m a big believer in seasonality"
More great Irish recipies
Oat scones in just a couple of minutes – absolutely delicious!
How to make Guinness Chocolate Cake with Bailey’s Buttercream