Traditional Irish Brown Soda Bread

Traditional Irish Soda Bread on a round, wooden cutting board

Traditional Irish Brown Soda Bread

An authentic Irish brown soda bread made with stone-ground whole wheat flour and buttermilk. This rustic, slightly crumbly loaf bakes in under an hour with no yeast, kneading or proofing, delivering a deep brown crust and rich, nutty flavor.

Course Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Irish

Dish Type bread

Cooking Style Baking

Diet and Health healthy-ish

Seasonal St. Patrick's Day

Ingredient Buttermilk, Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Total Time 55

Servings servings

Calories 247

Author Amy Reiley

Ingredients

3 cups stone ground whole wheat flour
1 cup white flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 cups buttermilk

US Customary - Metric

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Slowly add the buttermilk, stirring to combine, until you have a sticky dough.
Knead the dough lightly before transferring to a lightly greased baking sheet.
Shape the dough into a flattened round and cut a deep cross into the top to release the fairies. I did not realize fairies lived in bread dough either, but an Irish baker insisted on this step, so I follow it.
Bake for approximately 40-45 minutes. Bread will be golden on top and offer a hollow sound when tapped when it is fully cooked.

Notes

It is important to use high-quality stone ground wheat flour to make this bread. My preference is the Bob's Red Mill brand.

A note on the provided nutrition information

The nutrition information provided has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator and is not a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Nutrition