Irish Soda Bread - freshly baked bread

Irish Soda Bread

Quick Breads

Traditional Irish soda bread — no yeast needed, ready in under an hour. Just four main ingredients.

Prep Time

10 min

Bake Time

45 min

Servings

10

Calories

220

Ingredients

  • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare

    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.

  2. 2

    Mix Wet Ingredients

    Combine melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl.

  3. 3

    Add Dry Ingredients

    Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Fold gently until just combined — do not overmix.

  4. 4

    Bake

    Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50–55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

  5. 5

    Cool

    Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Baker's Notes

The number one rule of quick breads: do not overmix. A few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine — overmixing develops gluten and makes the bread tough.

Baker Thomas Moreau

About This Recipe

This Irish soda bread is one of those rare recipes where simplicity actually wins. Without yeast, the magic comes from baking soda meeting acid — traditionally buttermilk, though our version leans on the egg and melted butter for a tender, slightly sweet crumb. It bakes in a loaf pan for a golden, crackled top that looks rustic and tastes deeply comforting.

Canadian home cooks gravitate toward it because it delivers real satisfaction without fuss. You mix everything in one bowl, dump it in a pan, and walk away. Whether it's breakfast with butter and jam, afternoon tea with a slice of sharp cheddar, or just a warm slice straight from the oven, this bread earns its spot in the weekly rotation.

Tips for the Best Irish Soda Bread

Incorporez les ingrédients secs délicatement — quelques grumeaux sont parfaitement acceptés et contribuent à garder la mie tendre. Ne travaillez pas trop la pâte sous peine d'obtenir un pain compact. Une fissure en surface est normale et souhaitable ; elle indique que le pain a bien monté à la cuisson.

What to Serve With It

Serve warm from the oven with salted butter and homemade strawberry jam, or alongside a pot of Earl Grey. It pairs beautifully with smoked salmon and cream cheese for brunch, and makes a lovely addition to a charcuterie board with aged cheddar and pickled vegetables.

Storage & Reheating

Keep cooled slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic and freeze for up to two months. Reheat slices in a toaster or warm them at 350°F for ten minutes to restore that fresh-baked texture.

Nutrition Facts

220

cal

8g

Protein

4g

Fat

37g

Carbs

4g

Fiber

221mg

Sodium

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does soda bread rise without yeast?+

Baking soda reacts with acid in the batter to produce carbon dioxide bubbles — that's your leavening. In traditional recipes, buttermilk provides the acid, but here the egg and butter contribute enough for a good rise.

Can I substitute buttermilk for the milk in this recipe?+

Absolutely. Buttermilk adds tang and helps activate the baking soda more vigorously. If using buttermilk, reduce the added liquid slightly since it's thicker than regular milk.

How do I know when the bread is fully baked?+

Insert a toothpick into the center — it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The top should be deep golden brown and spring back lightly when pressed.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?+

Yes. This bread actually improves after sitting overnight as the flavors meld. You can also prepare the batter the night before, cover it, and bake it fresh in the morning.

What's the difference between soda bread and regular bread?+

Soda bread uses chemical leaveners instead of yeast, so it rises quickly and doesn't require kneading or proofing. The result is denser and more cake-like, perfect for quick weeknight baking.

Tips & Tricks

  • Do not overmix — a few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine.
  • A crack on top is normal and desirable — it means the bread rose well.
  • Quick breads often taste even better the next day as flavours meld.

Reviews (3)

Chantal D.★★★★★

Easy to prepare and so delicious! Even my picky kids went for seconds. This bread has become a staple in our home.

Pierre T.★★★★★

Excellent recipe. I followed the instructions to the letter and the result was perfect. My wife loved it. The best homemade bread I've made.

Marie L.★★★★★

Made this last weekend and my family loved it! The bread came out perfectly golden with a beautiful crust. Will definitely be making this again.