Irish Soda Bread, A Loaf You Can Make In Under An Hour

Baking bread has been a part of human life since the most ancient days, in all cultures around the world. The tradition is still very much a part of most cuisines and Ireland is no different. Soda Bread is a classic of Irish cuisine that hasn’t had the global recognition of some of its other dishes but every Irish family has their own recipe and it's a cherished part of the culture. 

With simple ingredients, soda bread may seem less entrancing than regular bread but it has its own history and it's a dish that has led the country through many dark times. Today it’s a symbol of celebration and made in bulk during the run-up to St Patrick’s Day but when it was created, it was out of necessity. 

The true origin of Soda Bread lies with the Native Americans who used pearl ash from wood to leaven their bread without yeast. But in the 1830s, the process came to Ireland along with the introduction of baking soda or sodium bicarbonate. 

When the Great Famine struck between 1845 to 1852 Soda Bread became an affordable and accessible alternative to yeast-based bread. Especially for families who lived in isolated areas or on farms with no access to an oven, this four-ingredient bread was a hearty option that could be made in a pot over an open flame. 

The combination of sour milk or buttermilk with the baking soda prompted the release of carbon dioxide that made the bread rise and resulted in a dense loaf with a hard crust and a slightly sour tang. This recipe draws on the original but substitutes a pot for an oven for a quick bake although you could make it in a Dutch oven on the stove for a more authentic experience.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Method

  • Preheat an oven to 200 C.
  • In a bowl, mix the flour, baking soda and salt.
  • Form a well in the centre and pour in the buttermilk.
  • Add a little at a time, bringing it together until it forms a thick batter. 
  • Avoid overworking the dough, knead till the flour is just combined.
  • Gently shape it on a floured surface and then transfer to a greased or lined baking pan,
  • Bake for 10 minutes, then lower the temperature to 180 C and bake for another 20 minutes until brown and crusty.