Soda Bread Recipe

One of the compliments we often get from our guests is how tasty our homemade breakfasts are. One stand-out favorite is our Irish soda bread.

Now, whilst we can’t share with you our Inn on Bath Creek secret ingredient – we can give you a simple recipe that you can follow. 

(Note: Do not use a liquid measuring cup for dry ingredients! 4oz weight = 1 dry cup.)

White Soda Bread

We recommend “soft wheat” flour (known as pastry/cake flour). You could also use the Irish flour Odlums.

• 4 cups (16oz) all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 14oz buttermilk

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 425 F.degrees and lightly grease and flour a cake pan.

Method:

1. Sieve all the dry ingredients into a large bowl.
2. Gradually add buttermilk until you have a sticky dough.
3. Place onto a floured surface and lightly knead the dough. (over kneading lets too much gas escape, so don’t overdo it)
4. Next, press the dough into a round cake tin making it fairly flat and cut a cross shape into the top.  
5. Cover the pan with another same sized pan (to simulate the bastible pot) and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the second pan and bake for a further 15 minutes. 
6. You will know that the bread is ready if there is a hollow sound when you tap on the bottom of the bread. 
7. Now it’s time to cover the bread with a tea towel and sprinkle water onto the cloth to keep the bread moist as it cools.

Brown Soda Bread

• 3 cups (12oz) wheat flour 
• 1 cup (4oz) white flour (do not use self rising flour)
• 1½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 14 oz buttermilk (add slowly until the dough is moist)
• 2 oz butter if desired

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 425 F.degrees and lightly grease and flour a cake pan.

Method:

The method is same only if you desire butter, rub it into the sieved flour mix until it is crumbly and then add the buttermilk to form a sticky dough. 

Then, continue as with the white bread recipe. 

As your bread cools, why not pour yourself some coffee or tea ready to enjoy with a warm slice of buttered soda bread.

For more information or a gluten free recipe click here. Alternatively, why not visit us again and you can sample our delicious homemade Irish soda bread after a relaxing night’s rest. Call 252-923-9571 today to book your stay.