Authentic 4-Ingredient Irish Bread (Print version)

Rustic Irish soda bread with golden crust and tender crumb, using four simple ingredients.

# What you'll need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Wet Ingredients

04 - 1 3/4 cups buttermilk

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or dust lightly with flour.
02 - Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in large mixing bowl until well incorporated.
03 - Create well in center of flour mixture. Pour buttermilk into well and stir with wooden spoon until shaggy dough forms.
04 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Gently knead just until dough comes together, avoiding overworking. Form into round, flattened loaf approximately 2 inches thick. Place on prepared baking sheet.
05 - Cut deep X across top of loaf with sharp knife. Bake 30-35 minutes until golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when tapped on bottom.
06 - Transfer bread to wire rack. Cool minimum 30 minutes before slicing to ensure proper texture.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The whole process takes less than an hour from start to warm, buttery finish
  • You probably have everything you need in your kitchen right now
  • That crispy crust giving way to tender inside is pure happiness
02 -
  • Overworking the dough develops gluten and makes it tough—handle it gently and stop as soon as it comes together
  • The X cut isn't just pretty tradition—it helps heat penetrate the center of the loaf
  • If you forget to take your buttermilk out of the fridge, microwave it for 15 seconds to take the chill off
03 -
  • Weigh your flour if you can—it's the most reliable way to get consistent results every time
  • The dough should feel slightly sticky and shaggy, not smooth like yeast dough
  • Butter the cut side of your X after baking for an extra golden, flavorful crust

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