Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread. A more wholesome version of classic Irish Soda Bread. The perfect accompaniment to our St. John’s Stout Irish Stew recipe.
Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread
A quick look online for an authentic recipe for Irish soda bread is all it takes to see that people are quite passionate about the subject.
Purists are not shy about expressing their opinion that you simply must stick to the 4 basic ingredient recipe. It’s something that would have been made almost daily in Irish households for many decades.
The use of added sugar, butter, caraway seeds or raisins is frowned upon. As an accompaniment to dishes like hearty stews to sop up the gravy and stretch an economical meal even further, I am in full agreement.
Here, in many parts of Newfoundland, where our Irish roots run very deep indeed, we often see a similar use in what we sometimes just call “pastry” or “crust”, baked on top of a pot roast or oven stew.
Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread
Quick breads like this are meant to use soft flour and not hard flour more suited to yeast raised breads.
Since I wanted to make a whole wheat version of this classic quick bread I was lucky enough to find some soft whole wheat flour at a local bulk store. I then cut it with part white cake flour which worked quite well for me. You can use all soft flour for a white version.
The beautiful dish in the background is our amazingly delicious St. John’s Stout Stew.
Recipe updated March 2021. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
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Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread. The perfect thing to serve with our Irish Stew recipe.
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Yield: 10 servings
Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread - a more wholesome version of classic Irish Soda Bread. The perfect accompaniment to our St. John's Stout Irish Stew recipe.
Ingredients
- 3 cups soft whole wheat flour
- 1 cup soft white flour, cake flour works well
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Sift together the 2 flours,and baking soda.
- Form a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk.
- Mix together with a wooden spoon only until a soft dough forms and the flour is fully incorporated. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and form into a 10 inch round.
- Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Using a sharp knife cut an x into the surface of the dough about a half inch deep and reaching to about an inch from the edge of the dough.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and crusty and sounds hollow when tapped.
Notes
For plain Irish Soda Bread simply replace the whole wheat flour with the same amount of all-purpose white flour.
As a substitute for the buttermilk, add a 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or plain vinegar to plain whole milk. Stir and let stand a minute to curdle. The acidity in buttermilk or soured milk is meant to boost the rising action of the baking soda.
Nutrition Information
Yield
10Serving Size
1 slice
Amount Per ServingUnsaturated Fat 0g
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FAQs
However, the two loaves differ pretty significantly from there. Irish brown bread has a deep, nutty flavor because of its wheat flour and wheat bran while soda bread uses only white flour. Soda bread is slightly sweet and more scone-like while Irish brown bread is more savory with a tender interior.
How do Irish people eat soda bread? ›
This versatile bread works for any meal, but Irish soda bread is a natural for breakfast, whether simply spread with (Irish) butter and jam or alongside that hearty fry-up known as a full Irish breakfast. It's also wonderful with a cup of tea in the afternoon or as a late-night snack.
Why did my Irish soda bread fall apart? ›
Too much liquid added, or it hasn't been baked enough. It should go on the top shelf of the oven and it should be baked for at least 30-35 minutes.
Is Irish soda bread good for you? ›
Nutrition Notes
Whole-wheat soda bread is a healthy addition to your plate! One serving—a 1/2-inch-thick slice—provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals.
What is another name for Irish soda bread? ›
Irish soda bread has a couple of other names, too: When we attended a class at the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland, they made this loaf and called it a Spotted Dog. It's also called white soda bread, American Irish soda bread, or fruit soda bread.
Do you eat Irish soda bread hot or cold? ›
Soda bread dries out quickly so it really is only good for a day or two. It is best eaten freshly baked and warm or toasted.
Why cut a cross in Irish soda bread? ›
I was always told that the cross on the top of Irish Soda Bread was to symbolize the Catholic faith of Ireland, and the Gaelic Cross. Some say it kept the Devil out, but that is what a cross is supposed to do also. Turns out that is true but more importantly, it helps in the baking of the bread.
What country is most associated with Irish soda bread? ›
A unique cooking method that gave soda bread its dense texture, hard crust, and slight sourness. Despite its humble beginnings, Irish soda bread has become a large part of the typical St. Patrick's Day feast and plays a major role in Ireland's culinary history.
How to tell if Irish soda bread is done? ›
The most traditional doneness test calls for thumping the hot bread in the center to hear if it's hollow-sounding. A more foolproof indication is temperature; the loaf will register 200°F to 205°F when an instant-read thermometer is inserted in the center of the bread. Let the bread cool.
What is the shelf life of Irish soda bread? ›
Tightly wrap your leftover bread and place it in an airtight container. There's no need to refrigerate. As for how long soda bread lasts: Irish soda bread tends to dry out faster than other breads. The bread will be good for 3-4 days or up to three months if frozen.
And finally, don't immediately cut into the Fast Irish Soda bread when you pull it out of the oven. Although this bread is best served warm, cutting into it too quickly will turn the bread gummy.
Which is healthier, sourdough or soda bread? ›
Both types of bread use flour and contain refined carbohydrates. Sourdough bread would be considered healthier in the fact that it is a fermented food with lower gluten levels, making it easier to digest.
What is the best way to eat Irish soda bread? ›
Butter. The traditional way of serving your Irish soda bread is serving the loaf while it's warm with butter. Spread a thick layer of your butter on the slice and revel on the hearty flavor exploding in your mouth.
What is the difference between bread and soda bread? ›
Sourdough relies on a mix of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria, rather than baker's yeast, to leaven the dough. It's richer in nutrients, less likely to spike your blood sugar, contains lower amounts of gluten, and is generally easier to digest than bread made with baker's yeast.
Is Irish soda bread the same as sourdough bread? ›
The main difference between sourdough bread and soda bread is in its leavening agent – sourdough bread rises due to the gasses released from yeast and bacteria fermentation, while soda bread rises from the gasses produced during the chemical interaction between baking soda and acids in the dough.
Why does Irish soda bread not need yeast? ›
The baking soda does the job of yeast and makes the bread rise. Since it's not as powerful as yeast, the bread is dense rather than fluffy. It's beautiful and delicious!
What is the myth behind Irish soda bread? ›
Contrary to a common misconceptions, the Irish did not import the Soda Bread recipe from the American Indians. This misconception is my fault because 30+ years ago on the original site I happened to mention Native Americans using Potash to make bread.
