Sometimes simple is better. Don’t get me wrong, I still love my Irish Soda Bread made with oats. But a couple years ago I wanted to make a more simple version to teach my 4-H kids. This is what I came up with and everyone always loves it. It’s easy enough for kids to make and only has 4 ingredients, all pantry staples.
Once I took a loaf to some friends and they wanted to know what kind of fancy artisan bread it was.
I make this loaf when I want to serve hot bread with dinner but don’t have time to make a yeasted loaf too.
Mix dry ingredients, add milk to a well in the center.
I like using a Danish dough whisk. A wooden spoon works too.
Just don’t overwork the dough. You just need it to come together.
A bench scraper helps too when it comes to shaping.
Irish folklore says to cut a deep X in the dough to let the fairies out so that the bread won’t be jinxed by evil spirits… or maybe it’s just to allow the heat to penetrate the loaf while it’s baking….
Perfection! No one would guess how quick and easy that was!
Easy Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups buttermilk
Instructions
- Heat oven to 450 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda.
- Make a well in the center and pour in the milk.
- Using a wooden spoon or danish dough whisk mix together.
- Turn onto a surface and knead just until dough comes together, adding a little flour as needed.
- Don’t overwork the dough.
- Use a bench scraper to turn dough over and shape loaf.
- On a parchment lined baking sheet pat the dough into a round approximately 2″ thick.
- Cut an X in the dough across the top and going down the sides, about 1″ deep.
- Bake for 12 minutes then lower oven temperature to 400 degrees and continue baking for 45 minutes, or until bread reads about 200 degrees.
