Honey Free Classic Irish Soda Bread
There is something deeply satisfying about a loaf of bread that comes together with just four ingredients and no fuss whatsoever. Cold buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to give this bread its lift, meaning there is no yeast, no proofing, and absolutely nothing sweet hiding in the dough — making it a genuinely worry-free bake for anyone avoiding added sweeteners. The shaggy, barely-worked dough is part of the magic; overhandling is the only real pitfall, and the recipe is refreshingly forgiving once you understand that. That signature cross scored across the top is not just tradition — it helps the dense center bake through evenly, giving you a crust that is deep golden and crackling with a tender, slightly tangy crumb underneath. Whether you bake it on a parchment-lined sheet or in a screaming-hot cast iron skillet, the result is a rustic, hearty loaf that is spectacular warm with a generous smear of butter.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 1 ¾ cups buttermilk, cold
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or place a cast iron skillet in the oven to preheat.
- 2
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl until evenly combined.
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