A simple and classic, authentic Irish soda bread, ready in one hour with no kneading involved!
Having never been raised to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with traditional Irish foods, I’ve decided to give it a go with a classic Irish Soda Bread. To my knowledge in Ireland, this bread is eaten year round but over the past few years, I’ve begun to notice [in the U.S.] soda bread and brown bread have become more prevalent on or around the holiday. (It must be the American food bloggers doing this.) And for this reason, I had to see what’s up with this bread and put it to the test!
Perhaps next year I’ll incorporate other traditional Irish foods such as: Shepherd’s pie, colcannon, and beef and cabbage. We shall see!
The American style soda breads usually add egg, more butter and sugar, caraway seeds and raisins. I, on the other hand, wanted a more authentic soda bread dating back to the classic; one that is less sweet and simple.
Simple, it is! I couldn’t have been more pleased with a bread that rises from baking soda rather than yeast! Which also means almost no kneading involved. From start to finish within 1 hour, you will have a loaf of bread ready right on your table!
If there is ever a time you’re out of bread and need it quick but dread having to get dressed to go to the grocery store, have this recipe as a backup!
Mind you, it will taste different from your common sliced white bread, but this one here is much more heartier and let’s not forget, convenient. Many, if not all of the ingredients listed, are common pantry items. No bread machine required either. It’s that simple!
Once it’s made, wait about 10 minutes to cool, then slather a generous layer of whipped salted butter over a warm slice and it’s perfect on its own and great accompanied with a warm bowl of soup or stew.
If you’re looking for a more savory bread, try this Cheesy Irish Beer Bread too!
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Skillet Irish Soda Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 inch loaf 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and classic, authentic Irish soda bread, ready in one hour with no kneading involved!
Ingredients
- 3 cups (360 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (116 grams) cake flour
- 2 tablespoons (25 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). In a large bowl, whisk both flours, 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 round. Note: the dough may have large lumps and look shaggy.
- Place dough into a 10-inch cast-iron skillet. 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, slather with salted butter and serve. ENJOY!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Cuisine: Irish
RECIPE ADAPTED FROM CLASSIC IRISH SODA BREAD FROM P. 34 OF COOK’S ILLUSTRATED BAKING BOOK.
Want an Authentic Irish Brown Soda Bread recipe? Click below.
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Two things I love are quick recipes and bread, and this one covers both. 🙂 This looks amazing and is a great recipe for a beginning bread maker!
Sydney,
You’re right! This bread recipe IS great for beginner bread makers. Glad you love this one!
– Connie