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Easy Authentic Irish Soda Bread Recipe (No Yeast)

A close-up view showing the golden, textured crumb of the freshly baked 4 ingredient soda bread.

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Make traditional Irish Soda Bread quickly without yeast. This recipe yields a loaf with a crusty exterior and a tender, moist crumb, perfect for any meal.

Ingredients

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  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 3/4 cups buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly flour a baking sheet.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the buttermilk all at once.
  4. Use a knife or your hands to quickly mix the ingredients until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Do not overmix.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently shape it into a round loaf, about 1 1/2 inches thick.
  6. Place the loaf on the prepared baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to cut a deep cross into the top of the loaf, cutting almost to the bottom.
  7. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  8. Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • For a traditional, slightly sweeter loaf, substitute 1 tablespoon of sugar for 1 tablespoon of the flour.
  • If you do not have buttermilk, mix 1 3/4 cups of regular milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
  • Serve warm with butter or alongside soup for a comforting meal.

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