The Fresh Loaf

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Irish Soda Bread

aytab's picture
aytab

Irish Soda Bread

I had a friend make a special request, he is part Irish and wants some traditional Irish Soda Bread for St. Patrick's Day. I had never Irish Soda Bread before so I did some research and found this website: http://www.sodabread.us/index.htm and after really enjoying the entire site, I decided to try the White Soda Bread Recipe. I turned out really well I think. I am so used to yeasted bread, that this bread is very different. It is very dense and the crust kind of has a pretzel taste to it. Now I just need to feed it to my part Irish friend and see what he thinks.

breadforfun's picture
breadforfun

Hi Aytab,

I'm a big fan of Irish soad bread.  I got hooked on my first visit to Ireland years ago when the family I stayed with made it nearly every morning.  I brought home that recipe, but recently found one that I liked much better.  It is a little non-traditional in that it includes a bit of olive oil, but what a difference that small change makes in the moistness of the loaf.  You can find the recipe here [link corrected].  It is quite flexible and I often vary the grains I use depending on what I have, and it always comes out great.  Here's a photo:

I will post a recipe later.

-Brad

 

NetherReine's picture
NetherReine

Your post inspired me to get in touch with my Irish roots and make Irish soda bread for the first time.  It couldn't have been simpler and it tastes fantastic!  So quick and easy - will be making this frequently!  Thank you so much!

aytab's picture
aytab

WOW!!! Those are beautiful!!!! I have to work on getting mine to look like that!!!

breadforfun's picture
breadforfun

The trick is keeping the dough wet enough.  I kept wanting to add more flour and that dried it out a lot.  If it is too wet it will flatten in the oven (it will still taste good, but the cross in the top will disappear).  If you watched the video, he is very approximate with the measurements, so this recipe comes after a fair amount of experimentation.

Here's the recipe which is geared to use a full US quart of buttermilk.  It's very flexible - use your imagination on the added grains.  I've used kamut flakes, oat bran, just about anything works.  It's a great recipe.

-Brad

 

aytab's picture
aytab

I tried to watch the video but the link told me that what I was looking for was no longer there. I will give you recipe a shot. The best part of making this bread is that it is quick and easy. I didin't have to wait for hours while everything rose etc. I will be making a lot more soda bread that is for sure.

breadforfun's picture
breadforfun

http://www.openscreen.tv/2010/06/how-to-make-irish-soda-bread/

I think the first link got corrupted because it put a period at the end of it.  I just checked, it is still there and worth watching.

I just learned this tip and it may be useful: To check if your baking powder is still active, put a small amount in some hot water, and it should fizz.  If not, get a fresh package.

-Brad

Dú's picture

Hi, I´ve been trying to bake soda bread here in Brazil, but I can´t say if it is going right or wrong, because obviously I´m having some trouble to find a "original soda bread" here to compare. But I´ll post the photo of my last one (I´ve baked it in an tradicional iron casserole that we use here in Brazil, since I have no bastible), and I also have a question: the crust of soda bread have to be crunchy or soft?  And one more thing : I know that soda bread only includes some few ingredients, but while I´m still testing, I took a recipe that is not as orthodox as I wished, but still works. Thanks, in advance.

breadforfun's picture
breadforfun

The original link with the video of how to make Irish Soda Bread that I posted has apparently been taken down.  I am pretty sure that the Phoenix Bakery is who originally posted the video.  Here is a link to a recipe for a soda bread (with cheese and rocket (arugula), which if you leave out is pretty much my source for the original recipe).  I still make this regularly.

-Brad