Authentic 4-Ingredient Irish Bread (Printable Version)
Rustic Irish soda bread with golden crust and tender crumb, made from four simple ingredients.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or dust lightly with flour.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - Create a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour in buttermilk and stir with a wooden spoon until shaggy dough forms.
04 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently just until it comes together, avoiding overworking. Shape into a round, flattened loaf about 2 inches thick.
05 - Place loaf on prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut a deep X across the top to help the bread expand during baking.
06 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
07 - Transfer to a wire rack and cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to preserve texture.
# Chef's Tips:
01 -
- No yeast, no proofing, no waiting—just mix and bake
- The crust becomes impossibly crispy while staying tender inside
02 -
- Overworking the dough makes it tough, so handle it minimally and gently
- The hollow tap test is your best indicator that it is fully baked through
03 -
- Cut the X deep rather than shallow to ensure the center bakes completely
- Room temperature ingredients help everything incorporate more evenly