St. Patrick’s Day Irish Soda Bread is a delightful celebration of simple ingredients that come together in a rustic, no yeast loaf. With only flour, baking soda, salt and buttermilk, this easy recipe yields a golden, hearty bread perfect for festive gatherings and everyday enjoyment. Its charm shines through every bite.

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I recently tried making my St. Patrick’s Day Irish Soda Bread and it quickly became one of my favorite recipes for its ease and fantastic taste.

This quick Irish soda bread is a true 4 ingredient bread recipe. I mixed together 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 3/4 cups buttermilk to create a light, moist dough that produces a perfect balance of texture and flavor.

I love that it’s yeast free and ready in no time so its a perfect option if you need bread for a quicker meal or want to make a fresh St Patricks Day soda bread without all the extra hassle. The nutritional value is really decent too with the carbohydrates found in the flour and some protein from the buttermilk which help keep you energized.

Its a straight forward recipe thats both satisfying and traditional. Enjoy every bite!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe for a few reasons. First, it’s super easy to make since it only needs 4 basic ingredients and the directions are simple enough for me to follow without stressing too much. Second, I like that there’s no yeast involved so the whole process feels less fiddly and I’m less worried about stuff not rising right. Third, I dig how the bread turns out with that even golden crust and deliciously soft inside after baking. Lastly, since its perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, it makes me feel a little festive every time I bake a loaf, like I’m celebrating a tradition that’s both fun and yummy.

Ingredients

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All-purpose flour supplies carbohydrates and protein; it is the bread’s sturdy base.
Baking soda works as a leavening agent to help the dough rise gently.
Salt magnifies flavors and balances the overall taste of the Irish bread.
Buttermilk adds a tangy flavor and tenderizes the dough for softer texture.
Flour is rich in carbohydrates for energy but lacks significant fiber content.
The buttermilk’s tanginess pairs perfectly with the salty and mildly sweet dough.
Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating a simple, rustic soda bread.
This classic soda bread is easy, hearty and lets you celebrate with tradition.

Ingredient Quantities

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups buttermilk

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 425°F.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt.

3. Slowly add 1 3/4 cups of buttermilk and stir until the dough just comes together.

4. Don’t overmix the dough; it should be a bit lumpy and not perfectly smooth.

5. Flour your counter and gently shape the dough into a round loaf.

6. Place the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased.

7. Using a sharp knife, cut a cross across the top of the dough to let it expand as it bakes.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 35 to 45 minutes until the bread is golden and sounds hollow when tapped.

9. Let the bread cool on a rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Equipment Needed

1. An oven that can be preheated to 425°F
2. A large bowl for combining the ingredients
3. Measuring cups and spoons to get the right amounts of flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk
4. A wooden spoon or spatula for stirring the dough
5. A clean, floured counter or board to shape the dough
6. A baking sheet that you either line with parchment paper or lightly grease
7. A sharp knife to score a cross on the dough
8. A cooling rack for letting the bread cool before slicing

FAQ

What is the best way to mix the dough? You should mix the dry ingredients first and then add the buttermilk slowly. Don't overwork the dough cause it'll turn out tough.

Can I use milk instead of buttermilk? Yes you can. Just add a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 3/4 cups of milk so you get a similar tangy flavor to buttermilk.

Do I need to preheat my oven? Absolutely, preheat it to 425°F. That helps the bread cook evenly and gives a nice crust.

How do I know when its done? Give the bottom a tap, if it sounds hollow its ready. Also, the crust should be a nice golden brown.

St. Patrick’s Day Irish Soda Bread Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you dont have all-purpose flour you can use whole wheat flour, though it might make the bread denser than usual.
If you’re short on baking soda you can use baking powder instead but you’ll need to adjust the acidic ingredient a bit.
For salt, you can swap it with sea salt or kosher salt but measure slightly less since they can be a bit stronger.
If you dont have buttermilk, mix one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in a measuring cup and add milk to reach 1 3/4 cups; let it sit for a few minutes before using.

Pro Tips

1. Be careful not to overmix the dough; mix until just combined so your bread comes out nice and light instead of dense.
2. Make sure your counter is well-floured before you shape the dough it helps keep it from sticking and keeps the shape nice.
3. When you score the dough, use a very sharp knife and don’t cut too deep, so the bread can expand properly as it bakes.
4. Always let your bread cool on a rack for a bit before slicing, or else it might turn out a bit mushy inside.

St. Patrick's Day Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

St. Patrick's Day Irish Soda Bread is a delightful celebration of simple ingredients that come together in a rustic, no yeast loaf. With only flour, baking soda, salt and buttermilk, this easy recipe yields a golden, hearty bread perfect for festive gatherings and everyday enjoyment. Its charm shines through every bite.

Servings

servings

Calories

259

kcal

Equipment: 1. An oven that can be preheated to 425°F
2. A large bowl for combining the ingredients
3. Measuring cups and spoons to get the right amounts of flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk
4. A wooden spoon or spatula for stirring the dough
5. A clean, floured counter or board to shape the dough
6. A baking sheet that you either line with parchment paper or lightly grease
7. A sharp knife to score a cross on the dough
8. A cooling rack for letting the bread cool before slicing

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups buttermilk

Directions

Preheat your oven to 425°F.
In a large bowl, mix together the 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt.
Slowly add 1 3/4 cups of buttermilk and stir until the dough just comes together.
Don't overmix the dough; it should be a bit lumpy and not perfectly smooth.
Flour your counter and gently shape the dough into a round loaf.
Place the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased.
Using a sharp knife, cut a cross across the top of the dough to let it expand as it bakes.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 35 to 45 minutes until the bread is golden and sounds hollow when tapped.
Let the bread cool on a rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.