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Home » Breads » Irish Soda Bread: Yeast-free!

Irish Soda Bread: Yeast-free!

February 25, 2019 , Updated June 16, 2020 Maria 6 Comments

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Irish soda bread on a wooden board, surrounded by a green tea towel.

This non-traditional Irish Soda Bread recipe comes together in the time it takes for your oven to preheat. You will fall in love with this thick crusted yeast-free bread. 

Non traditional soda bread fresh out of the oven on a wooden cutting board.
Irish Soda Bread

You might be wondering why a Canadian-born, Italian-raised gal from Montreal is making an Irish bread recipe.

Well, March 17th is St.Patrick’s Day and as they say, everyone is Irish on St.Patrick’s day! 

Seriously though, the main reason I love to make this bread is that it is quick to make.

It is so quick that by the time your oven is preheated, you are done combining the ingredients and placing the pan in the oven.

This no yeast bread with caraway seeds is a great compliment to any thick soups like this White Bean Soup. 

It is also great with Veal Stew.

I’ve always been intrigued by soda bread recipes, especially with buttermilk.

What I’ve learned is that there are two versions to this type of bread:

A front view of the round shaped Irish soda bread ready to be sliced.

Traditional Irish soda bread has only four ingredients:

  • flour
  • salt
  • buttermilk and
  • baking soda

…hence the name.

Apparently, that’s the way the Irish made it back in the 1800s (in Ireland). Over the years, this bread became a base for all sorts of add-ins like raisins, cranberries, herbs, and so on.

In its transition, it became a sweet quick bread as sugar and eggs were also added-hence the reference to a Non-Traditional Irish Soda Bread.

There is no yeast, no kneading – heck there isn’t even a mixer required to make this bread.

The loaf of an Irish soda bread is sliced to reveal the tender crumb.

You won’t believe how quickly this recipe comes together…

Are you ready?

Ingredients

  • Flour. All-purpose.
  • Sugar. Just a touch to create a slightly sweet Irish soda bread.
  • Baking soda. This allows the bread to rise.
  • Baking powder. Always check to make sure the dates are still good.
  • Salt. Just a pinch.
  • Caraway seeds. These contribute an earthy flavor.
  • Eggs. Just a couple.
  • Sour cream. Preferably a low-fat version. 
  • Buttermilk. Yes, this is an Irish soda bread with buttermilk!

As far as accessories are concerned, all you need is two bowls, a whisk, a wooden spoon and a knife to ward off the evil spirits-more on this old Irish superstition a little later.  You also need a 9-inch springform pan. 

Instructions

The dry ingredients to make this Irish soda bread before being combined consist of flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and caraway seeds

In a large mixing bowl, sift or whisk together all of the dry ingredients. These include flour, sugar, baking soda/powder, salt and caraway seeds.

Set it aside for a minute, while we whisk the wet ingredients together.

The wet ingredients for this batter consist of eggs, buttermilk, and sour cream

In another bowl, we are going to whisk a couple of eggs with sour cream and buttermilk.

The thick batter of the Irish bread in a bowl.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and combine with a wooden spoon. You will quickly notice that this is a very sticky and thick dough.

Do not over mix this batter. Just like making muffins, over mixing will toughen the texture of this Irish bread.

An overhead shot of the Irish soda bread in the sprinform pan before being baked with a distinctive X on the surface.

Transfer to a 9-inch springform pan which has been coated with a non-stick spray. With lightly floured fingertips or a spatula, gently spread out the batter to the edges of the pan.

Whether you are making the traditional or non-traditional version, you should always score a deep “X” on the top of your bread before baking it. Not only does it help the baking process (allowing better heat distribution) but it protects your household by warding off the evil spirits.

How’s that for efficiency!

The only thing left to do is to bake your Irish soda bread!

Tips

  • Preheat your oven to the right temperature, this is crucial to obtain a good rise.
  • Properly whisking the dry ingredients ensures even distribution of the baking soda and baking powder, which in turn ensures a uniform rise in your caraway bread.
  • Do not over stir; simply combine the wet with the dry ingredients and bake.
  • Score the top of the bread before baking to improve heat distribution throughout the bread.

Can I add raisins to the batter? Yes, simply add ½ cup if you prefer a recipe for Irish soda bread with raisins.

I don’t have buttermilk, what do I do? You can easily make buttermilk by adding lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk, stirring and allow to rest for 5 minutes before using. For this recipe, add 1 teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of milk.

How long does this baking soda bread last? If properly wrapped in plastic film, this bread can be stored at room temperature for 3-4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Yeast-free bread recipes

If you are looking for more no yeast bread recipes, you are going to love this Honey Wheat Bread. Did I mention it is also a no-knead bread recipe? Two other examples of easy bread recipes without yeast are this Quick Flatbread and Piadina recipe.

A freshly baked Irish soda bread placed on a round wooden board, ready to be sliced.

Recipe origins

There is no lack of recipes whether you are looking for a traditional or non-traditional Irish soda bread.

I’ve adapted this easy recipe from one I found on this site.

Over the years, I have made a couple of changes to the recipe: decreased the amount of sugar and salt found in the original recipe; I replaced 1 cup of sour cream with ¾ cup + 1 tablespoon of buttermilk.

I also exclude raisins because they are not very popular in my household. Feel free to throw in a handful if you like them in your bread.

Overall, this quick bread has a very light texture and is really easy to put together. I definitely plan on making it throughout the year…aiming for the luck of the Irish on this one 😉

I would like to share with you one of my favorite Irish blessings:

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way.
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

Ciao for now,

Maria

★★★★★ If you have made this yeast-free Irish loaf recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

A freshly baked Irish soda bread placed on a round wooden board, ready to be sliced.

Irish Soda Bread

This Irish Soda Bread comes together in the time it takes for your oven to preheat. You will fall in love with this thick crusted yeast free bread. 
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Bread
Cuisine: European
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 159kcal
Author: Maria Vannelli RD

Ingredients

  • 3½ cups flour 500 grams, all-purpose
  • ⅓ cup sugar granulated
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon caraway seeds heaping
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream light
  • ¾ cup buttermilk plus 1 tablespoon
  • non-stick spray

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350℉ (175°C).
  • Spray 9-inch spring-form pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
  • In a very large mixing bowl, sift or whisk together the dry ingredients. Add in caraway seeds and set aside.
  • In another medium bowl, whisk eggs.
  • Whisk in sour cream and buttermilk.
  • Add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients and mix only until combined with wooden spoon.
  • Place batter in a pan. With floured fingertips, or the back of a spatula, press gently to extend the dough to the edges.
  • Score an "X" with knife. 
  • Bake for approximately 50 -60 minutes. 
  • Allow the bread to cool down for about 15 minutes before slicing. 
Scroll UP for the STEP by STEP PhotosDon't miss the process shots and videos included in most posts. Simply scroll up the post to find them. Those were created especially for you so that you can make the recipe perfectly every single time you try it.

Video

Notes

  • Preheat your oven to the right temperature, this is crucial to obtain a good rise.
  • Properly whisking the dry ingredients ensures even distribution of the baking soda and baking powder, which in turn ensures a uniform rise in your caraway bread.
  • Do not over stir; simply combine the wet with the dry ingredients and bake.
  • Score the top of the bread before baking to improve heat distribution throughout the bread.
Can I add raisins to the batter? Yes, simply add 1/2 cup if you prefer a recipe for Irish soda bread with raisins.
I don't have buttermilk, what do I do? You can easily make buttermilk by adding lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk, stirring and allow to rest for 5 minutes before using. For this recipe, add 1 teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of milk.
How long does this baking soda bread last? If properly wrapped in plastic film, this bread can be stored at room temperature for 3-4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 
*recipe lightly adapted from Food.com

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 127mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1.5mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @shelovesbiscotti or tag #shelovesbiscotti!

This post was originally published on March 6, 2015 and republished on February 25, 2019 with updated content, pictures and a video. Thanks for watching and sharing.

 

 

 

Baked Goods, Breads, Breakfast and Brunch

About Maria

Maria Vannelli is a registered dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

Comments

  1. Mita says

    March 3, 2019 at 14:49

    5 stars
    I just made this. Used fennel seeds and it smelled so wonderful. Such an easy recipe and so delicious.

    Reply
    • Maria says

      March 3, 2019 at 14:53

      How wonderful Mita! I am thrilled to hear this. Fennel is a great substitution for caraway seeds. Thanks so much for taking time from your busy week-end to comment, appreciate it 🙂

      Reply
  2. Angela Chu says

    March 16, 2016 at 21:25

    5 stars
    This looks fabulous! It looks so delicious, I’ll definitely make it this coming weekend when I have free time. And thanks for the St. Patty’s day blessing <3

    Reply
    • Maria says

      March 16, 2016 at 21:28

      Hi Angela! Thanks for dropping by and thanks for taking the time to comment! Happy St. Patty’s Day 🙂

      Reply
  3. Yum Girl says

    March 7, 2015 at 06:56

    This looks great! Thanks for submitting to YG – I added it to the “Green Drinks and Recipes” category so it will be highlighted for St. Patrick’s Day!

    Reply
    • Maria says

      March 7, 2015 at 07:08

      Thanks for the feature! Happy St.Patrick’s Day!

      Reply

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I'm Maria: dietitian and full time content creator. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth, to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

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