Irish Wheaten Soda Bread Recipe
Irish Wheaten Soda Bread is made with whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, butter, and buttermilk. Mix dry ingredients, cut in butter, add buttermilk, and form dough. Shape into a round loaf, score the top, and bake until golden. Enjoy warm with butter.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Baking sheet or cast-iron skillet
- Sharp knife (for scoring)
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups 150g whole wheat flour
- 112 g plain white flour approximately 1 cup
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 30 g salted butter cold
- 1 cup 240ml buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons dark molasses
- 1 tablespoon rolled oats for sprinkling on top
- 1 ½ teaspoons honey or brown sugar for slight sweetness
Instructions
Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, plain white flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Cut in Butter & Oil
- Add the cold salted butter and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Add Molasses & Sweetener
- Stir in the dark molasses and honey (or brown sugar) for a hint of sweetness.
Add Buttermilk
- Pour in the buttermilk and stir gently with a wooden spoon or your hands until the dough comes together. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. If it’s too dry, add a little more buttermilk, one tablespoon at a time.
Knead the Dough
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it very gently for about 1 minute, just until it holds together. Avoid overworking the dough, as this can make the bread dense.
Shape the Dough
- Form the dough into a round loaf and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, score the top of the loaf with a deep “X” to help it bake evenly.
Sprinkle Oats & Bake
- Sprinkle the top of the loaf with the rolled oats for added texture and a rustic finish. Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Cool and Serve
- Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool slightly on a wire rack. Slice and serve warm with butter, jam, or your favorite spread.