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Hi Bold Bakers!
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE My mum’s Irish Brown Soda Bread is beautiful, hearty and healthy with a lovely wheat flavor but no need for yeast or proofing! Attached to it are such great memories that transport me right back to a time at home Ireland!
- Simple to make with just 7 ingredients.
- Ready in under an hour.
- Hearty with a rich flavorful and tender texture.
- Perfect for tea, breakfast, or St. Patrick’s Day.
In Ireland, we are extremely fortunate to have access to some of the best produce in the world, from butter, eggs, oats, and much more. I was very lucky to have an incredible Mum who showed me how to cook. She made everything from scratch every day. For a family of seven, that’s pretty incredible. She says one of the greatest gifts you can give a child is to teach them how to cook. This is one of the main reasons why I’m here today to pass on what I know. With my mum’s permission, I’m allowed to share her recipe for Irish Brown Soda Bread with you.
Traditional Irish Soda Bread has a particular look, but do you know what it is? The marking on top is a cross. It comes from blessing the bread before baking. Also, you poke a hole in each corner of the loaf with a sharp knife to release the fairies that can curse your bread if not released.
I had issues making this bread when I came to the US because I wasn’t able to find the coarser flours that we use in Ireland so I adapted it for a fine whole wehat flour which can be easier to find in general no matter where you are. I strongly suggest for this recipe to watch the video below for the mixing and shaping technique. This bread is a quick bread and needs very little mixing to bring it together. the lighter the hand you use the lighter the end results.
If you love this bread, be sure to explore other beloved authentic Irish recipes from my kitchen, including Irish Potato Farls, Best Irish Scones, Irish Apple Cake, Barmbrack, Brandy Butter, and more!
Bold Bakers Loved This!
With thousands of 5-star reviews, this recipe is cherished by many for its simplicity and deliciousness.
“Most delicious brown bread I have eaten! Thank you Gemma for sharing this treasure. Our family enjoyed it. My 4 year old granddaughter helped me bake it.” — Angela N.
“My go to recipe for the best Irish Soda Bread , I make this every week.” — Ann B.
“Thanks to Gemma’s great recipe and endless patience answering my many questions – I finally got to make this bread. Oh my! it was just lovely – brought back memories of making this as a school girl back home in Ireland. It was so easy to make and was just delicious.” — Anne
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was updated on 1/27/2025, to include NEW step-by-step photography, explanations and substitutes of key ingredients, make-ahead and storage instructions, and Pro Chef Tips.
Table of Content
- What Is Irish Brown Soda Bread?
- Tools You Need
- Ingredients
- How To Make Traditional Irish Soda Bread
- Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
- Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
- FAQs
- Try These Irish Recipes!
What Is Irish Brown Soda Bread
Irish Brown Soda Bread (AKA whole wheat Irish soda bread) is made in homes every day all over Ireland. It has a beautiful crust, a close crumb, and a lovely wheat flavor.
Hearty and healthy, Irish Soda Bread doesn’t require yeast and no resting so it is incredibly fast to whip up. And the faster you make it the better the bread will be. It is what’s considered a quick bread.
Tools You Need
- Measuring cups,
- Knife
- Whisk
- Large bowl
- Jug
- Pan
- Wire rack
Ingredients
Whole wheat flour
- Whole wheat flour is what makes this Irish Soda Bread hearty and healthy.
- Whole wheat flour is made by grinding the entire wheat kernel with the bran (packed with fiber and nutrients), the germ , and the endosperm intact.
All-purpose flour
- All-purpose flour cooperates with whole wheat flour to make sure the bread still has descent rise and the result is not overly dense.
Salt
- Salt brings out all the flavors!
Baking soda
- Baking soda is a chemical leavener that will help soda bread rise.
Butter
- COLD butter will create air pockets to make soda bread rise slightly lighter.
Egg
- An egg enriches the dough (optional). You can also check out my Egg Substitute Chart for alternatives.
Buttermilk
- Buttermilk provides acid to react with baking soda to make the bread rise and to tenderize gluten to make the bread soft.
Oats
- Oats add texture and give the bread a beautiful finish.
How to Make Irish Brown Soda Bread
Making Irish Brown Soda Bread can be as rewarding as it is easy. And with St. Patrick’s Day coming up, it’s the perfect way to ring in the holiday while we’re all at home and not at the pub.
And don’t have buttermilk? No problem! You can just as easily make your own with our Homemade Buttermilk recipe. You can also find my easy Buttermilk Substitute recipe as a great addition to this recipe and many others (Don’t forget the full written recipe, with measurements, down below).
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 425°F (215°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- Mix dry ingredients: whisk together the flours, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub it into the flour mixture with your fingertips until it resembles course bread crumbs.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate jug, whisk the egg and buttermilk together.
Combine and make the dough
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the liquid.
- Using an open hand, bring the flour and liquid together to a loose dough. The dough should be quite soft and a bit sticky. If your dough is a little dry then add a splash more buttermilk.
- Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and gently bring the dough together in a ball. Flatten it into an 8-inch round, about 1 ½-inches (4cm) thick.
Shape and bake
- Place on the baking sheet and score the bread by blessing it with a deep cross on top (see video). Poke a hole in the 4 corners of the bread to release the fairies and stop them from cursing your beautiful bread.
- Glaze the bread with the leftover bit of buttermilk in your jug and scatter the rolled oats on top.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then turn down the oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 30 minutes more. When done, the loaf will sound slightly hollow when tapped on the bottom. Remove from the baking sheet and place on a wire rack to cool.
Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Irish Soda Bread
- Use a large enough bowl: so you have space to mix your dough, which will reduce the chances of you over-mixing and toughening your bread.
- Always level your teaspoon of baking soda before adding it to your ingredients. There are two very good reasons for this that can make or break your bread:
- Too much baking soda will tint your bread green! Seriously, it gives your bread a greenish hue on the inside.
- Too much baking soda can give your bread a very acidic taste which can be quite unpleasant, so remember less is more with the baking soda.
- Buttermilk is a must in this recipe and can’t be left out. The main reason is the buttermilk chemically reacts with the baking soda to make the bread rise. The buttermilk adds a lovely flavor to your bread. Some people worry about tasting the acid buttermilk but once it’s baked you can’t taste it at all.
- Keep the whole wheat flour fresh by placing it in the freezer. The oils in the flour can turn rancid over time so just freeze it and use it when you’re in need. Your freezer may be an ice queen, but she’s always got your back.
- For a beautiful, crispy crust refrain from opening the door while baking. I know how tempting it is, but believe me your bread won’t burn.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
Make-Ahead:
- Prepare the dough ahead of time by shaping it and wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap.
- Store the dough in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Before baking, let the dough sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
Storage:
- After baking, let the bread cool completely on a wire rack.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, slice and freeze the bread wrapped in foil for up to 1 month.
- To thaw, leave at room temperature or warm in the oven for a few minutes.
FAQs
Why is my soda bread dense?
Over mixing toughens gluten. Bring all wet and dry ingredients together gently with an open hand JUST until it starts to form a ball (add more liquid accordingly to gather all dry bits).
Why is my my soda bread bitter and dark?
Extra leavening agent-baking soda will make soda bread bitter and dark. Put 1 LEVEL teaspoon of baking soda in your palm and break part any lumps using the back of your measuring spoon.
How can I make vegan/dairy-free soda bread?
For the best result, use vegan baking butter. And you can easily make dairy-free buttermilk using plant-based milk of your choice following my How to Make Buttermilk Substitute recipe.
Try These Irish Recipes!
- Authentic Irish Potato Farls
- Gemma’s Best-Ever Irish Scones
- Mum’s Irish Apple Cake
- Traditional Irish Barmbrack
- Authentic Waterford Blaas (Rolls)
Don’t miss more of my Irish recipes.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was updated on 1/27/2025, to include NEW step-by-step photography, explanations and substitutes of key ingredients, make-ahead and storage instructions, and Pro Chef Tips.
Try These Recipes!
Watch The Recipe Video!
Irish Brown Soda Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups (9 oz/260 g) whole wheat flour (fine ground)
- 1 ¾ cups (9 oz/260 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons (1 oz/28 g) cold butter, cubed
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 ⅔ cups (13 fl oz/390 ml) buttermilk*
- 1 tablespoons rolled oats
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (215°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- Mix together the flours, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub it into the flour mixture with your fingertips until it resembles course bread crumbs.
- In a separate jug, whisk the egg and buttermilk together.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the liquid.
- Using an open hand, bring the flour and liquid together to a loose dough. The dough should be quite soft and a bit sticky. If your dough is a little dry then add a splash more buttermilk.
- Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and gently bring the dough together in a ball. Flatten it into an 8-inch round, about 1 ½-inches (4cm) thick.
- Place on the baking sheet and score the bread by blessing it with a deep cross on top (see video). Poke a hole in the 4 corners of the bread to release the fairies and stop them from cursing your beautiful bread.
- Glaze the bread with the leftover bit of buttermilk in your jug and scatter the rolled oats on top.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then turn down the oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 30 minutes more. When done, the loaf will sound slightly hollow when tapped on the bottom. Remove from the baking sheet and place on a wire rack to cool.
- Once cooled, slice the bread and enjoy with butter. Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Recipe Notes
5 PointsPlus Points *For every Cup of Buttermilk needed mix 1 cup of regular milk with 2 tablespoons of Lemon juice or white vinegar. Mix and let it stand for a minimum of 30 minutes before using.
Thanks. It’s the easiest bread to make, great recipe.. The best thing about your videos and blog recipes is, that you don’t miss to give small tips and tricks. Like “glazing with leftover buttermilk” 🙂 it really shows that you know the decorum of cooking very well. Thanks to your mom specially for being too generous to let you share her recipe with us.
Thank you so much! Living abroad is hard for irish who love their home cooking and miss their mammies. I had tried many irish soda bread recipes but none have come close to the authenticity of this. The smell of home almost brought tears to my eyes.
Keep up the good work!
Hi Gemma, over here we make “buttermilk” by combining Indian yoghurt and water and churning it quickly for less than a minute, can this be considered a replacement for the buttermilk in this recipe?
This morning I made this bread. The process followed the video perfectly. The end piece was crunchy crusted and good. Piece #2 was chewy and wholesome. We toasted #3 and loved it with honey or blackberry jam. My husband declared this recipe “a keeper!” Thanks, Gemma. I think I will try the white soda bread recipe also.
can i use strong white bread flour and wholemeal bread flour for making irish brown soda bread or is it better just to use plain wholemeal and white flour. Thanks. Ruth
I have been experimenting Gemma’s brown soda bread since I learnt this recipe. For the latest, I added in za’atar (a middle east spice) in addition to the usual nuts and dried fruits. I eat it with humus and butter spread.
I used homemade buttermilk, made with sour carambola (averrhoa belimbi).
Hi, is it possible to make this without the egg?
It’s a great recipe.I guess my bread did not rise as much as it should HV done. I used cold milk for the buttermilk.Is that the reason?Also we thought it’s a little dense .pls help
I have uploaded three photos for the competition. This bread is a really simple no-knead bread and this is the first bread that I made in my life and that first bread came into a very good result and made a very good dinner for my family. My mom really loved it. And thank you ma’am Gemma to share this recipe with us. And also tell your mom, ma’am Patricia Stafford that a bold baker thanked her for sharing that recipe with us …………….????
Hi, can I use natural buttermilk for the bread? Thank you.