Warm, rustic, and beautifully simple Grandma’s Irish Soda Bread is a timeless classic that has been passed down through generations. Made with simple pantry staples like flour, buttermilk, baking soda, and butter, this traditional Irish bread requires no yeast and no rising time, making it one of the easiest homemade breads you can bake.
The result is a dense yet tender crumb with a beautifully crusty golden exterior. Whether served warm with butter, alongside hearty soups, or toasted for breakfast, this authentic soda bread recipe brings comforting homemade flavor to every slice.
table of contents
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf
Cuisine: Irish
Course: Bread, Side Dish
SEO Keywords: irish soda bread recipe, traditional soda bread, no yeast bread recipe, homemade soda bread, st patricks day bread
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups (420ml) buttermilk
- 1 large egg (optional)
- 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (cubed)
- Optional: 1 cup raisins
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease a cast iron skillet.
2️⃣ Mix Wet Ingredients
In a small bowl whisk together:
- Buttermilk
- Egg (if using)
Set aside.
3️⃣ Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl whisk:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking soda
- Salt
4️⃣ Cut in Butter
Add cold cubed butter.
Using a pastry cutter or fingers, mix until the butter becomes pea-sized crumbs.
5️⃣ Add Raisins (Optional)
Stir raisins into the flour mixture if desired.
6️⃣ Form the Dough
Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients.
Gently fold until dough becomes too stiff to stir.
Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead lightly about 30 seconds until combined.
7️⃣ Shape the Loaf
Form dough into a round ball and place on prepared baking sheet or skillet.
Using a sharp knife, cut a deep X across the top.
8️⃣ Bake
Bake 45–55 minutes until golden brown.
Bread is done when internal temperature reaches 195°F (90°C).
9️⃣ Cool
Allow bread to cool 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Serve warm or toasted.
Tips for Perfect Irish Soda Bread
✔ Use cold butter for best texture
✔ Don’t over-knead the dough
✔ Buttermilk is essential for rise and flavor
✔ Score the top deeply so the bread bakes evenly
Storage
Room Temperature
Store wrapped for 2 days.
Refrigerator
Store up to 1 week.
Freezer
Freeze slices or whole loaf up to 3 months.
What to Serve with Soda Bread
Perfect pairings:
- Irish butter
- Jam or honey
- Irish stew
- Corned beef and cabbage
- Soup or chowder
Nutrition (Estimated)
Per slice:
- Calories: ~220
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 5g
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary depending on ingredients used.
Grandma’s Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or fork until crumbly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg. Add to the dry ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms. Fold in raisins if using.
- Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface, shape into a round loaf, and place on the baking sheet.
- Score a deep X on top of the loaf with a knife.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Conclusion
This Grandma’s Irish Soda Bread recipe is the definition of comforting homemade baking. With its crisp golden crust and soft hearty interior, it’s a bread that feels both rustic and nostalgic.
Whether served warm with butter, alongside hearty soups, or as part of a festive St. Patrick’s Day meal, this traditional quick bread will quickly become a family favorite.