Irish Brown Soda Bread

Soda bread is traditionally considered an Irish bread. The method of using buttermilk to react with baking soda as the leavening agent is how the bread gets its name. This soda bread recipe uses equal parts wheat flour and white flour which is why it is called brown soda bread.

Ingredients for brown soda bread:

• wheat flour
• white flour
• salt baking soda
• buttermilk

This recipe for traditional soda bread has the option for adding a touch of butter and seeds as well if you wish. You’ll notice that there isn’t any added sugar in this bread recipe. 

How do you make whole wheat soda bread?

Soda bread is celebrated for its simplicity. No fancy equipment is needed. First combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk gently to blend. Then whisk the egg with the buttermilk. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Mixing with a sturdy wooden spoon or even using your hands is a great approach.

Turn the dough onto a flour surface and form it into a ball. There is no need to let this dough sit and rise because it is not a yeast dough. Once the ball of dough is formed you’ll cut an X in the top and place the soda bread dough on a parchment lined baking tray or baking stone.

Note that the baking temperature for this whole wheat Irish soda bread recipe begins at a higher temperature then is lowered part way through the baking time. This helps to create that nice outer crust but then leaves plenty of time for the bread to bake all the way through.

What do you serve with Irish soda bread?

Soda bread is a dry, crumbly sort of bread. It is excellent with a warm bowl of soup or chili. Of course Irish stew would be an ideal pairing if you want to stick with your Irish theme!

You may serve brown soda bread for breakfast or for afternoon tea. This bread is lovely served warm along side a jar of orange marmalade and a pat of Irish butter. Though not a traditional pairing, I love my soda bread with this onion bacon homemade jam.

I am sharing a recipe for Brown Soda Bread. Irish Brown Soda Bread is a simple bread with few ingredients. No yeast is needed because baking soda combines with buttermilk to create the leavening in this bread.

The ingredients are mixed, often just by hand, and the dough comes together without much effort. Perfect for celebrating the Irish in you this St. Patrick’s Day!

Here’s another recipe for St. Patrick’s Day that you’ll enjoy. These milk stout cupcakes would be perfect made with a Guinness too!