Recipe for Traditional Light and Fluffy Brown Irish Soda Bread

The Best Light Brown Soda Bread Ever

This traditional Irish brown soda bread is quick and easy to make—the recipe calls for just a few basic ingredients. I have included step-by-step instructions with videos and my own photos.

Ingredients

• 450 grams wholemeal flour
• 350 ml buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon bread soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional Toppings

• Sesame seeds
• Poppy seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Caraway seeds

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Tins

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, 400°F or Gas Mark 6
2. Take out three medium-sized cake tins and add some grease around the edges using oil or margarine.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

1. Add the wholemeal flour to a mixing bowl.
2. Add in the bread soda and salt, and mix together.
3. Crack the egg into a smaller bowl, and stir in a little buttermilk.
4. Add this to the flour with most of the buttermilk, and stir in well. Make sure there are no dry bits in the mixture. Stir until all is evenly mixed and the dough is of a sticky consistency.
5. If it is too dry, mix in some more buttermilk.

Step 3: Fill Tins and Add Optional Toppings

1. Using a large spoon, fill the tins with the bread mixture up to three-quarters full.
2. Use a large spoon dipped in some water to smooth the top of the bread mixture.
3. Add toppings such as sesame seeds or poppy seeds to the top of each cake tin.

Step 4: Bake the Bread

1. Place in the oven, and cook for approximately 50 to 60 minutes.
2. Test they are ready by inserting a knife into one of them. If it comes out dry, then they are cooked. If it is slightly wet, then cook for another 5 minutes.
3. Take out the tray and leave for 5 minutes before you remove the bread.
4. Leave to cool down before eating.

Alternative Names for Bread Soda

Baking soda, bread soda, and bicarbonate of soda are different names for the same thing.

• Australia: The term bicarbonate of soda is mostly used.
• United States: It is referred to as baking soda.
• Britain: It is called bicarbonate of soda.
• Ireland: We refer to it both as bread soda or bicarbonate of soda.