Authentic 4-Ingredient Irish Bread (Printable)
Hearty Irish soda bread with a golden crust and tender crumb using four simple ingredients.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly flour it.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
03 - Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
04 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead just until it comes together—do not over-knead.
05 - Shape the dough into a round, slightly flattened loaf about 2 inches thick. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
06 - Using a sharp knife, cut a deep X across the top of the loaf.
07 - Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the bread is golden and sounds hollow when tapped underneath.
08 - Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Four simple ingredients, most already sitting in your pantry right now
- Ready from start to finish in under an hour no proofing no waiting
- That perfect rustic crumb that soaks up butter like it was born for it
02 -
- Overworking the dough makes it tough, so treat it gently and stop as soon as it holds together
- The X cut serves a real purpose—it helps the center cook through before the crust burns
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients combine more easily and give you better results
- The hollow sound test is the most reliable way to know when your bread is done baking