Brown Soda Bread has a natural rustic beauty, full of flavor and a slightly sweet crunchy crust that is super easy to make. No yeast, no proofing, just a few ingredients needed and can be made within One Hour to serve an entire family!
It’s been a minute since this Skillet Irish Soda Bread was made, which by the way, I was truly impressed on the turn out. It has a natural rustic beauty and it tasted better than I could have ever imagined. I loved it!
It’s not often I make bread so at that time before it was made, I was a bit skeptical that a loaf of bread could be fully risen without yeast. Unless of course, if it were sweet breads, made from a batter and not a dough, which is something I enjoy from time to time. Soda breads are unique in its rising process by using baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) rather than yeast which makes this bread super easy to make!
A brown soda bread, commonly known as, brown bread, is a traditional quick bread served across a few European countries, particularly more popular in Ireland. It has the same baking process as the traditional white soda bread. Just as easy to make with a few ingredients, no yeast or proofing necessary and barely any kneading involved.
As a matter of fact, any kneading involved is only enough to get the dough to stick together; not necessarily to strengthen the gluten process. This bread is meant to have a soft interior which is why cake flour or pastry flour is commonly used for its lower protein content.
By a swap of a few ingredients from the white soda bread version, within an hour, you can have a loaf that has beautifully risen with a crunchy, slightly sweet crust, enough to serve a family. Lately, I’ve been into soups and so having a slice has become a great accompaniment. And the occasional slice with salted butter and fruit spread is another way I enjoy mine.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider giving a star rating. Ratings help others discover my recipes and with the help of your support, it will be greatly appreciated, thank you!
Print
Irish Brown Soda Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 inch loaf 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Brown Soda Bread has a natural rustic beauty, full of flavor and a slightly sweet crunchy crust that is super easy to make. No yeast, no proofing, just a few ingredients needed and can be made within One Hour to serve an entire family!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups (195 grams) whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup (58 grams) cake flour
- 1/2 cup (30 grams) wheat bran or wheat germ
- 3 tablespoons (38 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (8 grams) baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (5 grams) cream of tartar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (9 grams) salt
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups (438 grams) buttermilk
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk flours, wheat bran, sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Using a pastry blender or a long tined fork, cut in butter until fully incorporated into the flour mixture.
- Add 1 1/2 cups (375 grams) buttermilk into the flour mixture and using the pastry blender or fork, mix the buttermilk into the flour until a dough with large lumps begins to form and there is no dry flour remaining at the bottom of the bowl. Add 1/4 cup 63 grams) buttermilk to the dough, 1 tablespoon at a time, until all of the flour is moistened.
- Turn dough onto a lightly floured counter and pat dough into a 6-inch (15 cm) round. Note: the dough may have large lumps and look shaggy. Transfer dough onto the prepared baking pan. Score deep cross on top of the dough about 5 inches (13 cm) in length and 3/4-inch (2 cm) deep.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from the oven, slice, spread salted butter and/or marmalade and serve. ENJOY!
Notes
1/2 cup cake flour can be substituted for 1/2 cup wheat bran or wheat germ.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Cuisine: Irish
Keywords: brown soda bread, Irish brown bread. no yeast baking, 1 hour bread, bread baking
RECIPE ADAPTED FROM CLASSIC IRISH SODA BREAD FROM P. 34 OF COOK’S ILLUSTRATED BAKING BOOK.
Want more Irish-Inspired Bread Recipes? Click images below.
LATEST POSTS
- Meyer Lemon Lavender Scones
Delicate and luscious Lemon Lavender Scones uses meyer lemons for an ultimate soft flavor along with dried lavender buds. Flaky and buttery, easy to make and is the perfect springtime pastry for Easter, Mother’s Day, or just because. - Pizza Loaf
A Flavorful Pizza Loaf that’s Simple to make and Delicious in taste! Full of fresh veggies, lean ground beef and creamy cheeses will have you wanting more than one slice! - Vegan Chocolate Cake for Two
This Ultra Fudgy Vegan Chocolate Cake for Two with a Sweet and Tart Raspberry Glaze gives a Beautiful Natural Pink pop of color pairing wonderfully with the dark chocolate flavor. Perfectly sized for you and someone special. - Chocolate Banana Nut Bars
The banana flavor may be the highlight of these Nut Bars but the pools of melty chocolate that spreads throughout is the main attraction. These Chocolate Banana Nut Bars have an incredible banana flavor with a scrumptious bite of toasted walnuts and oats.