Brennan’s Irish Soda Bread
Brennan’s Irish Soda Bread is a traditional classic, popular for its simplicity and hearty nature. This recipe for an authentic loaf, straight from traditional Irish baking, couldn’t be easier — all it takes is the basic pantry staples to whip up a crusty loaf.
It is an easy and fast method, suitable for everyone from novices to experienced bakers. This yeast-free, no-fuss bread is a feel-good effort that, with very little prep, yields warm results every time.
Brennan’s Irish Soda Bread is delightful with soups, stews, or similarly enjoyed on its own with a swipe of butter, making it an ideal treat for any occasion. Its rustic charm and true flavor will undoubtedly make it a go-to in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients for Brennan’s Irish Soda Bread
It’s flour that forms the inescapable base of this rustic loaf, providing its structure and soft crumb. Sugar subtly accentuates the natural flavor, while baking soda guarantees that the bread rises, even without yeast. Salt counteracts the sweetness, and soured milk — made by mixing milk and vinegar — lends a bit of depth and tenderness to the dough.
The Tradition of Irish Soda Bread – And Where Brennan’s Can Enhance it
Recipe Tips
Use Fresh Baking Soda
Baking soda is integral to your Irish Soda Bread rising, so don’t let yours go stale. Baking soda can lose its potency over time, leading to a denser loaf. To check to see if your baking soda is still active, sprinkle a little bit into vinegar—if it bubbles like crazy, you’re good!
Don’t Overwork the Dough
It’s all about handling the dough gently in order to get a light, fluffy texture. After the dough combines, turn it out onto a floured work surface and knead as little as possible — just enough to create a round loaf. Overworking the dough will make for denser, toughier bread.
Let the Soured Milk Rest
The soured milk is crucial to tenderness of the bread as well as its distinct taste. Let the mixture sit for around 10 minutes before adding it to the flour to guarantee it curdles adequately and is at its maximum leavening power.
What to Serve with Brennan’s Irish Soda Bread
Hearty Stews or Soups
Brennan’s Irish Soda Bread is a great accompaniment to thick, hearty stews such as beef and vegetable, or a more traditional Irish approach on lamb stew. Its compact texture and faint tang from the soured milk help absorb the flavorful broth, making each bite a good chew.
Classic Irish Breakfast
For a full Irish breakfast, serve a slice of this warm, freshly-baked soda bread with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, sausages and grilled tomatoes. The bread provides great texture and is perfect for soaking up extra butter or jam.
Butter and Jam
If you want nothing more than a simple serving suggestion, toast a piece of the bread and spread it with butter. Take it a step further with a slather of your favorite jam, be it strawberry, blackberry or otherwise, to make for an extra explosion of sweetness. It also makes a lovely breakfast or afternoon snack.
FAQ
Can I omit the vinegar and make this bread?
Bad news for hardcore soured-milk fans: native souring is an absolutely essential part of vinegar, so if you have no vinegar, use lemon juice or buttermilk instead. Both will impart a similar tangy taste to the bread and help the bread rise properly.
Soda bread comes out very dense.
If your bread is heavy, it’s probably because you overworked the dough or used old baking soda. Kneading the dough just a bit and checking that your baking soda is fresh will give you a fluffier loaf.
This recipe is a great base — can I add raisins or some other add-ins?
Absolutely! Traditional Irish Soda Bread doesn’t often contain fruit or nuts, but you can definitely add a handful of raisins, currants or even caraway seeds if you’d like a twist on the classic recipe. Simply fold them in gently when mixing.
How long can I keep leftover bread?
Brennan’s Irish Soda Bread is best served fresh but can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can freeze it for up to a month to extend its shelf life as well. Just slice before freezing and you’ve got easy access later.
Brennan’s Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated white sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
Instructions
- Combine the milk and vinegar in a small bowl. Let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes to curdle, which creates a soured milk that helps the bread rise.
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a baking sheet to avoid sticking when baking.
- Add the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt to a large mixing bowl and whisk until evenly mixed. Pour in the soured milk a little at a time, stirring with a fork until the dough starts to form and cohere.
- Place the dough on a floured surface. Lightly knead it, forming a round loaf. Just don’t overwork the dough, or it will be dense bread.
- Transfer the shaped dough to a prepared baking sheet. Using a very sharp knife, score an “X” on the top of the loaf. This scoring method permits steam to escape and assists in keeping the bread shape when it’s baked.
- Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake about 45 minutes, until the crust has browned and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped. Cool the bread briefly before slicing and serving.
