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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

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.

Questions

Can I make Soda Bread dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry 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.

Can I make Soda Bread gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 3.5 cups all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Soda Bread keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat uncovered in a 400 F oven (or an air fryer) for a few minutes to bring the crust back; the microwave softens it.

Can I halve or double Soda Bread?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

Serve it with

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