Traditional Irish Soda Bread
Traditional Irish Soda Bread slathered in real butter makes the perfect St. Patrick’s Day meal accompaniment. It comes together quickly and only four ingredients are needed! In the nick of time, your kids, family and friends will feast on this soft and delish bread which may be paired with our not so traditional St. Patrick’s Day Shake.

Let’s Make this Recipe for Irish Soda Bread
Really, our Irish soda bread recipe is yummy enough that it can be eaten any time of the year when you want homemade bread, but don’t have the time to wait for yeast dough to rise.
You’ll have warm bread in just 40 minutes from start to finish, because Irish soda bread uses baking soda (along with buttermilk) as a leavening agent. Many folks add caraway to their bread for added flavor, but you don’t have to.
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Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk (you can also use 1 1/4 cups whole milk mixed with 1/4 cup white vinegar, allow to stand for a minute to thicken)

How to Make Irish Soda Bread
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375 F.
Step 2
In a medium bowl mix together the dry ingredients.
Step 3
Make a well in the center of the mixture and add buttermilk.
Step 4
Using a spoon, gently mix together until combined and a wet dough is formed.
Step 5
Turn out onto a well floured surface and very lightly knead in a small amount of flour just until it is no longer sticky and begins to form a ball.
DO NOT OVER KNEAD or add too much flour, or else you will end up with a dry, hard bread.
Step 6
Gently place onto a greased baking sheet or cast iron skillet and cut about a one-inch cross or “x” into the top of the dough.
Step 7
Bake for 35 minutes.
You will know the Irish soda bread is done because it will make a hollow sound when lightly tapped.
Step 8
Slather the outer top crust in melted butter and serve immediately. Keeps wrapped for a day or so.
Traditional Irish Soda Bread

This traditional Irish bread can be done quickly with only four ingredients and brings out a soft and yummy bread.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk (you can also use 1 1/4 cups whole milk mixed with 1/4 cup white vinegar, allow to stand for a minute to thicken)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- In a medium bowl mix together the dry ingredients.
- Make a well in the center of the mixture and add buttermilk.
- Using a spoon, gently mix together until combined and a wet dough is formed.
- Turn out onto a well floured surface and very lightly knead in a small amount of flour just until it is no longer sticky and begins to form a ball.
- DO NOT OVER KNEAD or add too much flour, or else you will end up with a dry, hard bread.
- Gently place onto a greased baking sheet or cast iron skillet and cut about a one-inch cross or “x” into the top of the dough.
- Bake for 35 minutes.
- You will know the Irish soda bread is done because it will make a hollow sound when lightly tapped.
- Slather the outer top crust in melted butter and serve immediately. Keeps wrapped for a day or so.
More St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
- Satisfy your family’s cinnamon roll cravings with this festive recipe!
- Throw your own St. Patrick’s Day tea party. Sooo fun!
- Make a healthy edible rainbow snack to go along with it.
- Also, be sure to try out these 25 Green Food Ideas: Treats for Kids and Adults.
We hope you love this traditional Irish soda bread recipe!
What are your favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipes for kids? Tell us in the comments!