Irish Brown Soda Bread
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Last Updated on February 26, 2023 by Lisa Johnson
What does every Irish meal need? A traditional Irish Brown Soda Bread recipe made with oats, buttermilk and molasses, served with softened butter. It is the perfect addition to any meal, Irish or not!
Check out this Irish Pub Food page for even more delicious Irish recipes.
Baking soda has been a staple raising agent in Irish kitchens since the nineteenth century. It produces a dense-textured bread that your family will not be able to resist. It smells amazing, and this recipe is super simple make at home.
Irish Brown Soda Bread ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Whole wheat flour
- Old-fashioned Rolled oats, not quick oats
- Sea salt
- Baking soda
- Buttermilk
- Molasses
Be sure to check out the detailed printable recipe card below
How to make Irish Brown Soda Bread with Buttermilk and Molasses
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
Combine the flours, oats, sea salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl.
Whisk the buttermilk and molasses together in a large measuring cup or pitcher.
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, then pour in the buttermilk mixture.
Use a fork (or bread whisk) to stir the liquid into the flour mixture, mixing from around the edge into the center.
Lightly knead with floured hands to form a soft dough.
Shape the dough into a circle and place on the parchment lined baking sheet. Press to flatten until dough circle is about 2-inches thick.
Use a sharp knife with a long blade to cut a deep cross into the top of the dough.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce temperature to 400 degrees. Continue cooking for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, until the bottom of the bread sounds hollow when tapped. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm with butter (Kerrygold of course)
Seriously delicious, and makes the perfect addition to a bowl of Creamy Seafood Chowder, Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage, and Guinness Beer-Braised Chicken Thighs!
Can I substitute regular milk?
No you cannot. You need the acid from the buttermilk to react with the baking soda, this is what causes the bread to rise. You can however substitute 1.75 cups regular milk mixed with 3.5 tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice if needed.
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Enjoy!!
Irish Brown Soda Brown
Ingredients
- 2 cup all-purpose flour plus extra for kneading
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- .5 cup Old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1.5 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1.75 cups buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons molasses
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
- Combine the flours, oats, sea salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl.
- Whisk the buttermilk and molasses together in a large measuring cup or pitcher.
- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, then pour in the buttermilk mixture.
- Use a fork (or bread whisk) to stir the liquid into the flour mixture, mixing from around the edge into the center.
- Lightly knead with floured hands to form a soft dough.
- Shape the dough into a circle and place on the parchment lined baking sheet. Press to flatten until dough circle is about 2-inches thick.
- Use a sharp knife with a long blade to cut a deep cross into the top of the dough.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce temperature to 400 degrees. Continue cooking for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, until the bottom of the bread sounds hollow when tapped. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm with butter.
