Irish Soda Bread
A yeast-free loaf raised with bicarbonate of soda and buttermilk: mixed, shaped and baked in under an hour.
AI assistance: the introduction, ingredient list, method, tips and FAQ on this page were drafted with an AI writing tool, working from long-established traditional methods. Named editor who reviewed it: owner to supply How we work
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Makes
- one loaf
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Course
- Bread
- Cuisine
- Irish
Soda bread is raised by bicarbonate of soda reacting with the acid in buttermilk, not by yeast, so there is no kneading and no proving: the loaf goes from bowl to oven in a few minutes. Work quickly, handle the dough as little as possible, and cut the cross deep so the thick centre bakes through.
Ingredients
Cups use the King Arthur Baking ingredient weight chart. Weighing is more accurate.
- 250 g plain white flour (US: all-purpose flour)
- 250 g plain wholemeal flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (US: baking soda)
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 400 ml buttermilk, you may need a little more
Equipment
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- Baking trayHow to chooseShop on Amazon(affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Digital kitchen scalesHow to chooseShop on Amazon(affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 200°C / 180°C fan / gas 6 / 400°F and dust a baking tray with flour.
- 2
Mix the flours, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a large bowl, then make a well in the centre.
- 3
Pour in most of the buttermilk and mix quickly with your hand or a spoon into a soft, slightly sticky dough. Add the rest if it is dry.
- 4
Tip onto a floured surface and shape into a round about 4 cm deep, handling it as little as possible.
- 5
Put on the tray and cut a deep cross into the top with a floured knife, almost to the edges.
- 6
Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the loaf is well browned and sounds hollow when tapped underneath.
- 7
Cool on a wire rack. Wrap in a clean tea towel for a softer crust.
Tips
No buttermilk? Stir 1 tbsp lemon juice into 400 ml whole milk and leave for 10 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Why does soda bread not need yeast?
Bicarbonate of soda reacts with the acid in buttermilk to make the bubbles that raise the bread.
What can I use instead of buttermilk?
Stir 1 tbsp lemon juice into 400 ml whole milk and leave it for 10 minutes.
Why cut a cross in the top?
It helps the thick centre bake through, and lets the loaf be broken into four farls.
Guides for this recipe
Some of these guides contain shop links, which are affiliate links (disclosure).
Buying guide
Measuring Jugs and Spoons: A UK Guide
Buying guide
Cooling Racks: Why Every Baker Needs One
Buying guide
Dough Scrapers: The Cheapest Tool Bakers Love
Kitchen design
Bread Bins: Which Type Keeps Bread Fresh?
Buying guide
Butter Dishes and Butter Bells: Soft Butter Without the Mess
Buying guide
Bread Knives: Why Serrations Matter
How-to
Essential Equipment for British Baking
Buying guide
Kitchen Scales for Baking: What to Look For
Buying guide
Baking Trays and Bun Tins: What You Need
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Card photos: A plastic measuring jug marked in millilitres, No machine-readable author provided. Batty~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain; A wire cooling rack, Donovan Govan. via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped; An antique iron dough scraper, Unknown via Wikimedia Commons, CC0; A wooden roll-top bread bin, No machine-readable author provided. Owen assumed (based on copyright claims). via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain; A white lidded butter dish with a block of butter, The Digital Pimp via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0, cropped; A serrated bread knife on a wooden board, WLU via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain; Small cakes cooling on a wire rack, James Petts from London, England via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped; A traditional mechanical kitchen scale, Berthold Werner via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped; Mince pies baked in a bun tray, Jeremy Keith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0, cropped; A Bakewell tart with a slice cut, showing the jam and almond filling, Brynn via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped; A slice of lemon drizzle cake served with a cup of tea, Acabashi via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped; A tray of shortbread being cut into fingers, Elumineau via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped. All credits: image credits.