St. Patrick's Day Irish Soda Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you know when Irish soda bread is done baking? ›

Cover and bake until well risen and golden, 45 minutes. Remove lid and continue baking until chestnut brown, with an internal temperature of 210°F (99°C), 12 to 15 minutes longer.

Chances are good that the bread you ate suffered from one of three common problems: improper amount of baking soda (a gross, salty-bitter taste), over cooking (a dry, chalky texture), or undercooking (a soggy, doughy center).

It might also be that you have added too much baking powder, baking soda or that you used self-rising flour. Make sure to double check your recipe. If your bread's texture is dry: You might have added too much baking soda, too little liquid or not baked it at high enough temperature.

And finally, don't immediately cut into the Fast Irish Soda bread when you pull it out of the oven. Although this bread is best served warm, cutting into it too quickly will turn the bread gummy.

(Some recipes call for yeast and kneading, but know this isn't required.) You don't have to wait hours or overnight for a rise, either. In fact, you don't even need to wait at all: Dough for Irish soda bread can go right into the oven after making.

Tips for the Best Soda Bread

Sticky dough – the dough will feel sticky. Dust your work surface and hands with just enough flour to handle the dough. Cold ingredients – there's no reason to bring ingredients to room temperature. Keep buttermilk, egg, and butter chilled.

Why is my brown soda bread doughy in the middle? This is likely due to not baking the bread long enough, or at a hot enough temperature.

Yes, you can let your bread rise overnight in the fridge. Keep in mind, though, you'll want the dough to come back up to room temperature before baking.

Nutrition Notes

Whole-wheat soda bread is a healthy addition to your plate! One serving—a 1/2-inch-thick slice—provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals.

Once the guests are finished eating, and you still have soda bread left, store the bread in an airtight container. You can place it in a bread box, a resealable bag, or wrap it in plastic. Any of these will do as long as it's sealed to prevent the bread from getting stale.

Should Irish soda bread be toasted? ›

Many people enjoy Irish soda bread with a generous spread of butter, which melts into the warm bread, making it even more delicious. However, you can also enjoy Irish soda bread at room temperature or even toasted. It can be sliced and toasted for breakfast or served alongside soups and stews.

Irish Soda Bread Best warm and slathered in butter! Tends to stale quickly, within 24 hours. Keep wrapped in kitchen towel on counter and slice and freeze after 24 hours.

Since there isn't much for gluten formation in Irish soda bread, it can dry out pretty quickly. Wrap it well with plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container. You can also keep it on a cake plate with a dome. It'll last 3-4 days at room temperature.

How to Eat Irish Soda Bread. This versatile bread works for any meal, but Irish soda bread is a natural for breakfast, whether simply spread with (Irish) butter and jam or alongside that hearty fry-up known as a full Irish breakfast. It's also wonderful with a cup of tea in the afternoon or as a late-night snack.

Setting the Oven Temperature Is Too Hot

If your oven runs hot, your bread is likely to brown and bake up on the outside before the center has a chance to fully cook. Invest in a simple oven thermometer to help verify the temperature. Make sure you have other bread baking essentials in your kitchen, too.

Seriously, as with all breads that do not have yeast, you won't want to overwork your dough. If you feel like you have to knead the dough together, don't knead more than 5-6 times, max. Too much kneading will create a hard dense crumb on the bread.

Although soda bread is ideal for serving at room temperature, it is better to serve it warm. The thick and cakey texture of the bread and warm temperature brings out its hearty flavors. If you can't have it fresh from the over at least have it toasted.

If you want an authentic textured bread, you must use an Irish flour. Wholemeal flour is made in Ireland and typically used for this bread. It makes a “grainy” soda bread because the flour is coarse.