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soda bread recipe on a board with butter

inspiration

How to make soda bread

March 15, 2016 • In World food, Baking,

For a quick and easy loaf, Irish soda bread is just the ticket. Taking just 10 minutes to prep, simply mix the ingredients (don’t over-mix them!), pat into a dough, then whack it all straight in the oven.

Bicarbonate of soda replaces yeast as the raising agent in this recipe, so you can scrap the hours of proving, too.

With a hard crust and deliciously textured middle, this is a delicious loaf, eaten slightly warm with a little butter or cheese, or dunked into soup. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to getting it just right.

HOW TO MAKE SIMPLE SODA BREAD

Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/gas 5. Place 250g of wholemeal flour, 100g of plain flour and 50g of pinhead oatmeal into a large bowl.

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Add 1 teaspoon each of bicarbonate of soda, sea salt and sugar, then mix well.

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In a separate bowl, use a fork or balloon whisk to beat 1 large free-range egg and 300ml of buttermilk together.

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Use a fork to stir the egg mixture into the flour so it starts to come together.

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Use your hands to pat and bring the dough together, shaping it into a ball.

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Lightly flour a baking tray and place the dough on top.

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Use your hands to flatten the dough slightly so you end up with a disc, roughly 6 to 7cm thick.

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Score a cross into the top of the bread with the blunt edge of a knife.

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Bake in the centre of the oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a firm crust has formed and it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

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Serve slightly warm with soup or a nice wedge of cheese.

If you want to go the extra mile, try this Rhubarb and ginger soda bread from Jack Monroe:

For more great bread ideas, from gluten-free loaves to sourdough, check out our recipes.