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Soda Bread

A classic traditional quick bread made with buttermilk and baking soda for a crisp crust and dense tender crumb.

50 minEasyServes 8210 cal/serving

BritishSideOvenVegetarianHalal-friendlyKosher-styleNut-FreeSoy-FreeEgg-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

  • 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cold, cubed
  • 1.5 cups buttermilk

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly flour a baking sheet.

  2. 2

    Whisk together 3.5 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1 tsp fine sea salt in a large bowl.

  3. 3

    Rub 2 tbsp cold, cubed unsalted butter into the dry ingredients using your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

  4. 4

    Make a well in the center and pour in 1.5 cups buttermilk, stirring with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms.

  5. 5

    Turn dough onto a floured surface, shape into a 7-inch round loaf, cut a deep cross on top, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden.

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Questions

What temperature do I cook Soda Bread at?

For Soda Bread, the oven is set to 400 F (about 205 C) in step 1. The longest stretch at that heat is 35 minutes, in step 5.

How do I know when Soda Bread is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 4: cook until a soft dough forms.

What can I use instead of buttermilk in Soda Bread?

The entry for Soda Bread calls for 1.5 cups buttermilk. In its place: Stir a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar into a cup of milk and let it stand five minutes. Plain yogurt thinned with milk also works.

Can I make Soda Bread dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Soda Bread is 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cold, cubed, 1.5 cups buttermilk. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed; the buttermilk for plant milk soured with a teaspoon of vinegar per cup. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Is Soda Bread vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cold, cubed and 1.5 cups buttermilk. For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan side collection.

How many calories are in Soda Bread?

One serving (the recipe makes 8) is about 210 calories, with 6 g protein, 38 g carbohydrate and 3 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 420 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

Serve it with

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