Irish Soda Bread Recipe (No-Yeast Quick Bread)
This Irish soda bread recipe is a no-yeast quick bread that rises with baking soda and buttermilk. You’ll mix the dry ingredients, add buttermilk, gently bring the dough together, and bake it until golden. Keep the mixing brief so the crumb stays tender.
Ingredients
Dry ingredients
Step-by-Step Method
Preheat and prep the pan
Heat the oven to 190°C / 375°F. Grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment so the loaf won’t stick.
Combine the dry mix
In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cornstarch, sugar, and salt until evenly blended.
Add buttermilk and bring dough together
Pour in the buttermilk gradually and stir just until a shaggy dough forms. Don’t overwork it; gentle handling keeps it tender.
Shape and score
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and quickly form a round loaf. Cut a shallow X on top to help it open up as it bakes.
Bake
Place on the prepared sheet and bake for about 40 minutes, until golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped underneath.
Cool before slicing
Let the bread rest on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes, then slice and serve. It cuts cleaner once it’s slightly cooled.