This is my absolute favorite Irish soda bread recipe, so with this being St. Patrick’s Day and all, I thought I would share it again with everyone.
The first time I tried Irish Soda bread was in a Pub in Dingle, Ireland.
The recipe itself is very straightforward and easy to make. However, if you have never tried Irish Soda Bread before let me warn you, it’s a very hearty bread and perfect for this time of year.
In my opinion, Irish soda bread is best served alongside Guinness beef stew as soda bread is a little on the heavy side. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a manly man stew or a big pot of beans.
This recipe is one of our favorites, and I hope you like it as much as we do. 🙂
~Mavis
St. Patrick’s Day Recipes – Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup oats {I used old fashioned oats}
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch bits
1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk
1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Combine all the ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer and mix on a low speed until everything is combined.
Place the dough onto a floured cutting board and knead it a few times into a nice, fat, round loaf that is about 2 inches thick and 8 inches wide.
Place the loaf on the lined sheet pan, carfeully cut an X into the top of the bread, and sprinkle a little oatmeal over the top.
Bake for 45 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean or when you tap the loaf, it will has a hollow sound to it.
Cool slightly, and serve with butter or honey.
This recipe makes 1 loaf.
Waking Ned Devine. Have you seen it? Best movie ever, and perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!
Mandy says
Thank you for reminding me about this recipe! I’m making a buttermilk pie to take to work this week, and was truly wondering today what I was going to do with the buttermilk I will have leftover. I wonder no longer! Have you made it with raisins or currants before?
Robin says
Looks great we are celebrating by eating green food every night this week. That’s my sneaky way of adding kale to everything. I made your kale/carrot spiked brownies last night….sh no one noticed! Tonight Thy Hands white bean (kale spiked) enchiladas. I will be making this later this week looks yummy!
Ponyryd says
Just curious, doesn’t really say, do you not let this bread rise before baking?
Mavis says
Nope. 🙂 It’s the easiest bread ever to make.
Helen in Meridian says
I saw Waking Ned Devine on St. Patricks Day the year it came out.
Veronica says
By “oatmeal” do you mean prepared oatmeal or just oats?
Veronica says
Well, I made it with old fashioned rolled oats. The loaf turned out great! I used 2 cups whole wheat flour and 2.5 cups AP flour. It took about 55 minutes to cook at 500 ft above sea level.
Mavis says
It is my favorite recipe! 🙂 I’m glad you liked it.
Willow says
Does altitude affect cooking time/temp? I recently moved from sea level to the mountains 5000’
bonnie max fuentevilla says
Making it right now ( stopped in to double check recipe ) to go with a CROCKPOT meal.
Meatballs and beans and onions, and swiss chard and basil from the garden. I didn’t have quite enough buttermilk and we drink coconut milk usually so I, um, added water and vinegar. Um…….wish me luck.
Mavis says
Rock on Bonnie! 🙂
Lara says
Made this today – delicious!
Julie says
I made this last night. It was a huge hit with my family. Thank you for sharing!
Mavis says
Yay! I’m glad you liked it too. 🙂
Beckie says
Just made this! Not only was it really easy and inexpensive to make, it’s a total hit with my family! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Becca says
Oh Dingle…. 15 years ago I found that slice of heaven too. I had heard while there that David Hasselhoff frequented that pub, but we didn’t see him. Did you? 🙂
Mavis says
No. 🙂
Diane says
But the drive along the cliffs to get there literally had me in tears! Loved Dingle but can’t imagine making that terrifying drive again!
Jeanne Prue says
Thanks so much for this wonderful recipe! It was part of our St. Patrick’s Day dinner and the entire family was crazy about the bread. I served it warm with honey butter (equal parts honey and butter) – yum!
Mavis says
Honey and butter is a must! I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
sharon rafter says
Sounds yummy! I will make and also watch the movie. Honey butter sounds delish.
Have a Guinness everyone!
Thanks for the suggestions!
Lauren says
Ned Devine is my absolute favorite movie!!! “Annie bring me my apple tart!”
Mavis Butterfield says
Awesome movie. 🙂
Khylea says
I don’t have parchment paper, but I’ve been wanting to try making bread on my pizza stone. Would this recipe work with a pizza stone?
Mavis Butterfield says
I don’t see why not. 🙂
Sandy says
Mavis,
OMG this Irish Bread was absolutely DELICIOUS!!!! We had it with our Corned Beef Boiled Dinner last night. Your recipe is a keeper. Thanks so much.
Mavis Butterfield says
You bet, I’m glad you liked it.
Earlene says
I have a similar recipe, but mine calls for baking powder instead of baking soda and I add raisins/caraway seeds. This is very good, Recipe is over at my blog. http://www.mimimskitchen52.blogspot.com Please try it!!
Toni says
Please check the link for making your own buttermilk – I would love to try that.
Thanks so much!
Mavis Butterfield says
Fixed. Thanks! http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/kitchen-tips-how-to-make-buttermilk/
Marsha says
Can you add raisins to this recipe?
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes. I would soak them first though.
Diane says
Looking forward to trying out this recipe! My recipe uses baking powder and I think it it leaves a funny aftertaste.
For St Patrick’s Day, I’ll be making Concannon which is a potato/cabbage dish. So I’ll make the soda bread next week due to too many carbs. Also, I love Colcannon so I would never pick bread over it.
Happy St Patrick’s Day☘️
Carol says
Going to have to try this!
Rosemary Calhoun says
If you don’t want to buy buttermilk (and end up having a lot left over), you can get buttermilk powder. It mixes with water and you can make just what you need. I have used this to make my Irish soda bread and it works great.
PS: I got mine at Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/SACO-BUTTERMILK-12OZ/10319960?athbdg=L1100
Mavis Butterfield says
That’s what I use too. 🙂
Sue S. says
Not crazy about Irish Soda Bread. I find it too dry. Perhaps if I piled butter on it, i would feel differently.
CA says
for Waking Ned Devine! So funny.
Julie P says
I make this in the winter for stews and hearty soups. Similar recipe except no sugar in mine and I use half all purpose and half wholemeal flour. My granny told me the cross on the top is to let the fairies out!