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Fresh baked loaf of Irish soda bread

Irish Soda Bread Recipe

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This traditional Irish soda bread bakes in a cast iron skillet to create a hearty loaf with a nutty flavor from wheat germ and a crusty golden exterior. The recipe requires no yeast, no kneading, and no rising time, making it one of the quickest homemade breads you can prepare. Ready in under an hour from start to finish, this bread delivers authentic Irish texture and flavor using basic pantry ingredients and a straightforward mixing method that even beginners can master successfully.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: About 8 slices 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
Standard Version:
  • 3 3/4 cups (469g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 1/2 cup (57g) wheat germ
  • 2 teaspoons (12g) kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon (12.5g) white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons (10g) baking soda
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups (360ml) buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) melted butter, plus extra for greasing
Sourdough Discard Version:
  • 2 1/2 cups (313g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (100g) sourdough discard
  • 1 cup (120g) whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup (57g) wheat germ
  • 2 teaspoons (12g) kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon (12.5g) white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons (10g) baking soda
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 1/3 cups (320ml) buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) melted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). In a large bowl, whisk together flour, wheat germ, salt, sugar, and baking soda until evenly combined.
  2. In a separate medium bowl, beat egg and buttermilk together. Stir in melted butter until incorporated.
  3. Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture. Stir with a rubber spatula until just combined, about 30 seconds. The dough will be sticky and shaggy.
  4. Grease a 9-10 inch cast iron dutch oven thoroughly with softened butter. Set aside.
  5. Lightly flour your hands and dust the dough ball with flour. Using your hands, gently scrape dough from bowl and shape into a ball with minimal handling.
  6. Place dough in prepared dutch oven (no lid). Sprinkle top lightly with flour. Using a sharp knife, score a deep X across the top of the loaf, cutting at least ½ inch deep.
  7. Bake 35-40 minutes, uncovered, until bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Check at 35 minutes.
  8. Remove from oven and transfer bread to a cooling rack. Let cool 15 minutes before slicing.
  9. Serve warm by breaking off pieces and splitting them open. Spread generously with butter.

Equipment

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 297
  • Sugar: 4.5g
  • Sodium: 580mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 33mg

Find it online: https://recipe-rewind.com/irish-soda-bread-with-wheat-germ-cast-iron-method/

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