This Irish Sourdough Soda Bread recipe is a game-changer for anyone tired of bland Irish Soda Bread. With its tangy sourdough starter and soft inside, this simple bread is a delicious addition to your St. Patty’s Day dinner celebrations!
I know what you're thinking: What are these two Kenyans doing posting about Irish soda bread? Well, we love learning about and celebrating different cultures through their food. We also love sourdough and bread so we couldn't resist ourselves!
Looking for more bread recipes? Try Homemade Sandwich Bread and Mandazi
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Mention of how the recipe can be customized to fit individual spice tolerances and protein preferences
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Quick and Easy: This easy recipe comes together with minimal effort and time, making it the perfect recipe for St. Patty’s Day.
No Need for Yeast: Unlike traditional yeast bread, this quick bread recipe uses baking soda to help the bread rise, allowing you to enjoy freshly baked bread without a lengthy proofing time.
Uses Leftover Sourdough Starter: If you have any excess sourdough starter, this recipe is a delicious way to use it up, adding depth of flavor and moisture to the Sourdough buttermilk bread.
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Sourdough Irish Soda Bread.
Ingredient Notes
Baking Soda: Acts as the leavening agent, aiding the bread's rise by reacting with acidity from the sourdough starter and buttermilk. It creates carbon dioxide bubbles, resulting in an airy texture. Baking soda works faster than commercial yeast.
Leftover Sourdough Starter: Provides tangy flavor and moisture to the quick bread. We utilized sourdough starter discard, but active sourdough starter can also be used. Note that the starter mainly contributes flavor rather than aiding in rising.
Buttermilk: Adds moisture to the dough and activates the baking soda. If unavailable, a substitute can be made by combining regular milk with lemon juice or vinegar and letting it sit until it curdles.
How to Make Irish Sourdough Soda Bread Step-By-Step
Check out these step-by-step instructions with images. Just so you know, you'll find all the details and exact ingredients of this sourdough soda bread recipe on the printable recipe card below!
Step 1 Prepare Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and sugar using a wooden spoon. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.
Step 2 Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Pour the wet ingredients into the well with the dry ingredients and mix all the ingredients until a soft dough forms.
Step 3 & 4 Shape the Dough and Cut a Cross:
Lightly flour a clean work surface then transfer the dough to the floured surface and gently shape it into a ball. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a cross on the top of the bread dough.
Step 5 Bake:
Place the shaped dough onto a skillet, prepared baking sheet, or into a Dutch oven lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step 6 Cool and Serve:
Once baked, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool slightly before slicing. Serve your sourdough Irish soda bread warm with butter or your favorite spreads.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Handle the Dough Gently: Avoid overmixing the dough, as this can result in a tough and dense sweet Irish soda bread. We recommend mixing the ingredients until they are just combined to ensure a light and airy texture.
Score the Dough Deeply: When cutting a cross on top of the dough, make sure to score it deeply, about ½ to 1 inch deep. This allows the bread to expand and prevents it from splitting unevenly during the baking process.
Preheat Your Oven Properly: Make sure your oven is fully preheated before placing the bread inside. A properly preheated oven will ensure even baking and a nicely browned crust.
Check for Doneness: To make sure the bread is fully baked, insert a skewer or toothpick into the center. It should come out clean with no raw dough remaining. You can also use a food thermometer. It should read around 195°F (90°C) when your easy soda bread is done.
Cool Completely Before Slicing: Let the bread cool completely before slicing. Slicing into hot bread can cause it to become gummy and also lose its texture.
Storage and Reheating
To store leftover Irish raisin sourdough soda bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze the bread for up to 3 months.
To reheat, simply thaw the bread at room temperature if frozen, then warm it in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
Additions and Substitutions
Additions: For added flavor and texture in this Irish raisin soda bread recipe, you can incorporate ingredients such as orange zest, caraway seeds, chopped nuts, and dried fruits into the dough before baking.
Substitutions: If you don't have all-purpose flour, you can use a combination of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour for a heartier texture. You can also substitute the buttermilk with heavy cream, plain yogurt, or sour cream mixed with a little water. To create buttermilk with whole milk, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using. Adjust the acid-to-milk ratio as needed for taste.
Your Questions Answered
Irish soda bread is a traditional quick bread from Ireland made with flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. It rises with the help of baking soda, giving it a dense and tender texture. Baking soda was first used instead of yeast during the 19th century when it became available for the masses.
No, it's not necessary to let the bread rest between scoring and baking. Once you've scored the dough, simply place it into the preheated oven for baking.
This Irish Sourdough Soda Bread pairs well with a variety of toppings, such as butter, jam, cheese, soups, stews, or even as a base for sandwiches
If your dough seems too dry, add a little more buttermilk, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together into a soft consistency.
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Recipe
Irish Sourdough Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ cup ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup 1 cup leftover sourdough starter
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pour the wet ingredients into the well with the dry ingredients and mix all the ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Lightly flour a clean work surface then transfer the dough to the floured surface and gently shape it into a ball.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a cross on the top of the bread dough. This will help the bread bake evenly and allow steam to escape.
- Place the shaped dough onto a skillet, prepared baking sheet, or into a Dutch oven lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- You can also check the internal temperature of the bread using a food thermometer. It should read around 195°F (90°C) when the bread is done.
- Once baked, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool slightly before slicing. Serve your sourdough Irish soda bread warm with butter or your favorite spreads.
Vicki Allwardt says
This looks awesome, and I do have sourdough starter. Hope to give this. Try soon!
Comfort Food and Drinks says
Yaay! Please let us know how it went!
Comfort Food and Drinks says
That’s awesome you have sourdough starter, Vicki! We’re sure it’ll turn out amazing. Can’t wait for you to try it—hope you enjoy every bite!