Brown Irish Soda Bread

Brown Irish Soda Bread – An authentic recipe for traditional brown Irish soda bread. So nice for your St. Patrick’s Day menu.

Around this time each year, I try to post a recipe to honor my Irish ancestry. In years past, I’ve shared Champ, Leek and Potato Soup, and Irish Currant Scones. At different times I’ve also shared Irish Spiced Fruitcake, Mr. Guinness’ Cake, Beef and Stout Pie, and Chicken Leek and Mushroom Pie.

This year I’d like to share one of the most quintessential Irish recipes of all – soda bread. This is the whole wheat version of the bread made daily in homes throughout Ireland. It’s best eaten the day it’s made and, preferably, with lots and lots of creamy Irish butter!

The dough for this Brown Irish Soda Bread is simple – just a few ingredients – brought together with a quick stir of the hand and baked until beautifully brown. I make it often but mine is never as good as the loaves I’ve enjoyed in Ireland. That’s because of the difference in U.S. and European flours.

Still, I make it and every time I put it in the oven I think of all those Irish ancestors who came before me and how many loaves they made for their families.

Irish Ancestry Runs Deep

I’m definitely a Southern girl. Born and raised in the South with Southern blood running through my veins. But, way down in the depths of my soul, I’m Irish. As Irish as they come.

Ireland is a part of me and I am a part of it. It is where my heart lives. I hope this loaf is a fitting tribute to my heritage. You’ll not find any dancing leprechauns or drunken green hatted men here.

I will say, though, that we of Irish descent do tend to have a streak of the superstitious in us. That’s why I always bless my loaf with a deep cross cut into the top and prick each of the four sections to let the fairies out, don’t you know.

And, by the way, those Irish fairies are nothing like Tinkerbell. They’re vicious little devils that will ruin your baking if you don’t watch :-)

How to Make Brown Irish Soda Bread

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

In a large bowl, sift together both the flours, salt, and baking soda. Add the seeds if using them.

Add the butter to the flour and seed mixture. Using just your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.

In another bowl or measuring cup, lightly whisk the egg together with the buttermilk.

Make a well in the center of the flour and butter mixture and pour in approximately 3/4 of the buttermilk and egg mixture.

Using your hand, bring the dry and wet ingredients together. Work in a circular motion beginning in the center and bringing in flour from the sides of the bowl. Add more of the buttermilk if needed to make a soft but not sticky dough.

Lightly flour your work surface and turn the dough out. Gently shape the dough into a round of about 1 1/2 inches thick.

Transfer to a baking sheet and cut a deep cross in the top of the dough round. Prick each of the four sections.

Bake for 15 minutes. Turn the oven down to 400 degrees and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes. To test whether the loaf is done, tap it on the bottom. If it sounds hollow, it’s ready. Place on a wire rack to cool.

🧾 More Recipes You’ll Like

• Boxty – Irish Potato Pancakes
• Dublin Coddle
• Traditional Irish Barmbrack
• Champ for Your St . Patrick’s Day
• Mr. Guinness’ Cake
• Irish Spiced Fruitcake

More Questions? I’m happy to help!

If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Brown Irish Soda Bread

Soda bread is the traditional bread of Ireland and is still made daily in homes throughout the country.

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Course: Breads

Cuisine: Irish

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 276kcal

Author: Lana Stuart

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Ingredients

• ▢ 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• ▢ 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 tsp salt
• ▢ 1 tsp baking soda
• ▢ 3 tbsp seeds any combination you like (optional)
• ▢ 2 tbsp softened butter
• ▢ 1 egg
• ▢ 1 2/3 cups buttermilk

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• In a large bowl, sift together both the flours, salt, and baking soda. Add the seeds if using them.
• Add the butter to the flour and seed mixture. Using just your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
• In another bowl or measuring cup, lightly whisk the egg together with the buttermilk.
• Make a well in the center of the flour and butter mixture and pour in approximately 3/4 of the buttermilk and egg mixture. Using your hand, bring the dry and wet ingredients together. Work in a circular motion beginning in the center and bringing in flour from the sides of the bowl. Add more of the buttermilk if needed to make a soft but not sticky dough.
• Lightly flour your work surface and turn the dough out. Gently shape the dough into a round about 1 1/2 inches thick. Transfer to a baking sheet and cut a deep cross in the top of the dough round.
• Bake for 15 minutes. Turn the oven down to 400 degrees and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes. To test whether the loaf is done, tap it on the bottom. If it sounds hollow, it’s ready.
• Place on a wire rack to cool.

Notes

Nutrition Information

Serving 1slice | Calories 276kcal | Carbohydrates 43g | Protein 9g | Fat 8g | Saturated Fat 3g | Cholesterol 34mg | Sodium 510mg | Potassium 200mg | Fiber 4g | Sugar 3g | Vitamin A 201IU | Calcium 74mg | Iron 2mg

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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More Irish Soda Bread Recipes …

• Wholesome Ireland’s Irish Soda Bread
• Irish Wheaten Bread (Brown Soda Bread) from About.com British and Irish Food
• Irish Soda Bread from BBC Good Food