Authentic 4-Ingredient Irish Bread (Printable)
Hearty Irish bread made with four simple ingredients, ideal for breakfast or with stews.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or dust lightly with flour.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly blended.
03 - Create a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour in buttermilk and stir gently with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
04 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead briefly just until dough holds together. Shape into a round, flattened loaf approximately 2 inches thick. Transfer to prepared baking sheet.
05 - Cut a deep cross pattern across the top of the loaf with a sharp knife. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
06 - Transfer bread to a wire rack. Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to ensure proper texture.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It comes together in under 10 minutes with no waiting for dough to rise
- The crust gets beautifully crisp while the inside stays tender and perfect for slathering with butter
- Even your worst kitchen disasters cant ruin this forgiving beginnerfriendly bread
02 -
- Overworking the dough makes it tough, so handle it as little as possible
- The deep X cut is not just tradition it helps the bread bake evenly in the center
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients help the dough come together more quickly and evenly
- The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom like a drum