Homemade Irish Soda Bread

overhead shot of sliced irish soda bread on wood board with white napkin, flowers, jam jar, bowl of butter, knife, and stack of plates

Homemade Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread is a delicious and simple loaf that doesn't require any yeast, takes only 30-40 minutes to make, and works for any and every meal! This recipe may not be traditional, but still so delicious. Dense, moist, soft, but still yields a crispy exterior. The perfect loaf!

Course: Breads

Cuisine: Irish/American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 28

Servings: slices

Calories: 153kcal

Ingredients

3 cups all purpose flour
3¾ Tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder
¾ teaspoon granulated sugar
¾ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1½ cups buttermilk
6 Tablespoons sour cream

Instructions

Heat oven to 475℉/245℃.
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, powdered milk, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and sour cream.
Pour buttermilk mixture over flour mixture.
Mix only to blend.
Turn onto floured surface.
Using floured hands, form into a boule.
Flatten top slightly.
Use a sharp floured knife, to cut top of dough into quarters, stopping about halfway through the dough.
Bake for 8 minutes.
Reduce heat to 375℉/190℃.
Continue baking for 15-20 minutes, until done.

Notes

The real secret behind this bread is the milk powder! It adds so much to this bread and really makes it unlike any loaf you've had.
Be careful not to overwork the dough. It's meant to be shaggy.
Don't forget to score the bread on top in an "X" pattern before baking! It needs to be cut about half way through the loaf to help the middle cook all the way through.
If you are unsure if the bread is done, use an instant read thermometer and poke it into the middle of the loaf. A fully baked loaf of bread should read about 210℉/99℃.
The crust will soften after storing.

Nutrition