Irish Brown Soda Bread Recipe (2024)

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Helen of Dublin

Traditional Irish brown soda bread is made with wheat meal, not wheat flour. Wheat meal is coarser than flour and cannot be sifted. The texture bread made with wheat meal is more like that of cornbread than of American wheat bread. Unfortunately, the only way that I've found to get wheatmeal in the US is to order it online. It's worth doing so, I think.

Bob Morgen

I've been making soda bread for 20 years! Helen is correct that the texture should be more like cornbread but finding coarse wheat flour is tricky. So I substitute 1 cup of oatbran for a cup of the flour. And I don't use any butter or egg. The oat bran makes for a very moist loaf (unlike wheat bran, oatbran absorbs water). And I use 2 tsp of soda since the oatbran needs a bit more umph to rise. Sometimes I throw in sunflower, flax or pumpkin seeds. Sometimes a handful of oatmeal.

Lorraine

One cup equals 240 ml so one and two thirds are 240+160=400

Elizabeth

I made this with all whole wheat and added wheat germ. It was delicious and very like the soda bread I used to get in Dublin. Though, it was still a finer texture.

KWarner

I have to agree with this, just based on a trip to the West Coast of Ireland several years ago. Irish Brown Bread is a wonderful creature! I found that the big difference was the flour and promptly set out to find a source...and discovered that King Arthur Flour has an "Irish style" flour that works quite well in approximating the beautiful bread that I remember so well from my trip.

Paul Keenan

While this may be very nice, it is sooooo not what the Irish call Brown Bread. Wheat meal makes it a different beast altogether (writing this from Dublin).

Sean OConnor

Odlums whole wheat flour is what Irish cooks would use in this recipe. It is made from Irish soft wheat. It is available from Food Ireland. One can use either Coarse or Extra Coarse flour and butter milk, made from churned soured whole milk, can be approximated by adding vinegar to reduced fat milk, 2 tablespoons to 12 ounces of milk.

Amy

This recipe worked perfectly, with the 500 ml. buttermilk. I used regular buttermilk, not low-fat which is thicker than low-fat. Perhaps that made a difference.

Rose

How would you sub wheat meal into this recipe? Would it be a simple exchange with the flour? Or would it require a different recipe?

Casey Jones

Agreed - the Buttermilk measurement should be a little closer to 400 ml

Lewis

I made this today on St. Patrick's Day. I used some bulgar (as in Martha Rose Shulman's recipe) for half of the whole wheat flour to give it a coarser texture. I've never been to Ireland, and I don't know what their Irish Soda Bread is like, but this was very good. Crumbly and moist. Just like my mother never used to make.

oddentity

I think the metric measurements in this recipe are off. My dough was more like a runny batter than the soft dough described in the recipe. I had to add quite a bit of AP flour to get it to the point where I could knead it, and the resulting loaf was a misshapen blob.

Bob Faser

Irish soda bread is an absolutely wonderful bread. It's the perfect bread to eat with a cheese of any sort, in the same way that the Jewish-style caraway rye breads of NYC are perfect with a deli-style sandwich.

roger

I've made Irish brown bread, using non-fat yogurt instead of buttermilk, no egg and one tsp. of baking powder as well. Also use 2-1 whole wheat to AP flour and add 1/4 cup of rolled oats.

Will try your recipe. Thanks.

PSchink

400ml buttermilk. Not 500. Delicious.

megan j

Mixed as directed, found the liquid to be too much. It was very wet. I ended up adding 3/4 C more AP flour to get it to the soft not sticky consistency. I measured by weight so not sure why it was off so much. Turned out alright with the extra flour though.

Kate

Truly traditional soda bread is wheat, water, soda and buttermilk. No fats added.

Maton

Added olive oil (extra virgin, cold pressed) 2 tbsp in the bowl, the taste had a very welcome twist, then reduced butter and added more olive oil, this was too strong a taste. Little olive oil should be used.

Holly M.

I did not have whole wheat flour so I used oat flour I made in my food processor (similar protein content to whole wheat flour). Turned out wonderfully!

Steve Braverman

The batter was too dry to properly knead. Looking at other NYT soda bread recipes it seems like more liquid is needed.

eric

Crumbly. Works ok with milk for buttermilk. Knead dough for 3 minutes.

Barbara Kling

It is possible to get Irish style wheat flour for brown bread from King Arthur Flour.

Susan Y

If you are ordering Irish Flour online, go straight to King Arthur Flour. Their Irish Flour is amazing and very authentic.

RP

Followed recipe exactly, and not my first time making soda bread. First time I ever had it fail though. Pulled out when suggested, knocked and got a hollow sound. Cut open, and the middle was wet batter. Probably wouldn't hurt to cook for longer than the recipe suggests, I had to put it back in for 10 more minutes.

Dennis

I have tried a number of recipes for brown bread and none have come close to what I eat in Ireland or get from importers. I think the flours available in the U.S. just don't make the grade. Odlums makes a brown bread mix that is perfect. Just add milk (although I usually use buttermilk) and bake.Although the mix is complete, for a one pound loaf, I add one tbsp of sugar and 1/2 tsp of baking soda. I cook it in a ceramic loaf pan and brush a little buttermilk on the top to keep it moist.

melinda

This bread is like a giant whole wheat biscuit. I love a biscuit.

Anthony

additionally; 2 TBL of sugar 1 cup loosely packed raisinsremember to cut cross on top before baking

Suzanne M

Very tasty. Mixed ingredients using a stand mixer, which made it even easier.

Cara

Super easy and quick. Way more flavor than I was expecting for a simple unyeasted bread. I could have baked for five more minutes, but it was still super yummy. Made with Sarah Bonisteel’s French Onion Soup and had both on the table just over an hour after I said to my family “I think I’ll make French onion soup and soda bread for dinner” big win two dishes packed with flavor.

Rose

I went way off course so I could use some pantry items about to expire. 1 cup whole spelt flour, 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour. Used buttermilk made from Bob's Red Mill buttermilk powder. After mixing, I added all purpose flour (1/3-1/2 cup) to get to the right consistency. Result is absolutely delicious. I have no idea how it compares to the "real" version, but it's clear this is a flexible and forgiving recipe.

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Irish Brown Soda Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Irish soda bread and Irish brown bread? ›

However, the two loaves differ pretty significantly from there. Irish brown bread has a deep, nutty flavor because of its wheat flour and wheat bran while soda bread uses only white flour. Soda bread is slightly sweet and more scone-like while Irish brown bread is more savory with a tender interior.

Is brown Irish soda bread good for you? ›

Whole-wheat flour, wheat germ, and steel-cut oats (also called Irish oatmeal) make this a super-healthy interpretation of the classic Irish bread.

What is special about Irish soda bread? ›

Irish Soda Bread is a quick bread that does not require any yeast. Instead, all of its leavening comes from baking soda and buttermilk. This Irish soda bread recipe is my grandmother's and has been cherished in my family for years. It's dense, yet soft and has the most incredible crusty exterior.

What's the difference between sourdough bread and Irish soda bread? ›

The main difference between sourdough bread and soda bread is in its leavening agent – sourdough bread rises due to the gasses released from yeast and bacteria fermentation, while soda bread rises from the gasses produced during the chemical interaction between baking soda and acids in the dough.

Why does Irish soda bread not need yeast? ›

The baking soda does the job of yeast and makes the bread rise. Since it's not as powerful as yeast, the bread is dense rather than fluffy. It's beautiful and delicious!

What is traditionally served with Irish soda bread? ›

The thick and hearty nature of Irish soda bread helps it pair very well with meaty stews (especially Irish stew). You can use it to soak up the juices as you eat or as a vehicle for the meat and vegetables. Traditionally, Irish soda bread is served with a slow-simmered beef and barley stew.

How are you supposed to eat Irish Soda Bread? ›

The traditional way of serving your Irish soda bread is serving the loaf while it's warm with butter. Spread a thick layer of your butter on the slice and revel on the hearty flavor exploding in your mouth.

Is soda bread good for your gut and stomach? ›

Soda bread is quick to prepare and is a low-fat, yeast-free option. It may help alleviate symptoms of bloating and discomfort. If you're new to baking or short on time, our seeded soda bread is an ideal loaf to bake at home.

Why do you put a cross in Irish soda bread? ›

I was always told that the cross on the top of Irish Soda Bread was to symbolize the Catholic faith of Ireland, and the Gaelic Cross. Some say it kept the Devil out, but that is what a cross is supposed to do also. Turns out that is true but more importantly, it helps in the baking of the bread.

Why is my Irish soda bread dry? ›

Chances are good that the bread you ate suffered from one of three common problems: improper amount of baking soda (a gross, salty-bitter taste), over cooking (a dry, chalky texture), or undercooking (a soggy, doughy center).

What is another name for Irish soda bread? ›

The "griddle cakes", "griddle bread" (or soda farls in Ulster) take a more rounded shape and have a cross cut in the top to allow the bread to expand. The griddle cake or farl is a more flattened type of bread. It is cooked on a griddle, allowing it to take a more flat shape, and it is split into four sections.

How unhealthy is soda bread? ›

Whole-wheat soda bread is a healthy addition to your plate! One serving—a 1/2-inch-thick slice—provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals.

Why are raisins in Irish soda bread? ›

Adding raisins to this version of Irish soda bread adds a touch of sweetness that we've become accustomed to in the country. Some people also like to add dried currants but sometimes they're a little bit harder to come by.

Is Irish soda bread kneaded? ›

Irish Soda bread is a mix / 10 second knead / shape / bake job. It's very simple and quite forgiving but I do have a few tips to ensure yours is a success even if you're a bread first timer. 3 minutes into oven – Once you add the buttermilk, aim to get it into the oven within 3 minutes.

What is the most popular bread in Ireland? ›

It is actually Irish wheaten or “Brown Bread” that is the most popular and arguably the most delicious type of traditional Irish bread that exists. It's so common that you'll find brown bread in almost every home on the island and it's so versatile that it's offered with a range of menu items.

Why is brown bread so popular in Ireland? ›

Irish Brown Bread is as typical as a pint of Guinness. It is a close cousin, or stepbrother to the Irish Soda bread made with white flour. Although today both are equally popular, brown bread was initially more common because white flour was more expensive.

How are you supposed to eat Irish soda bread? ›

The traditional way of serving your Irish soda bread is serving the loaf while it's warm with butter. Spread a thick layer of your butter on the slice and revel on the hearty flavor exploding in your mouth.

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