Authentic 4-Ingredient Irish Bread (Printable)
Rustic Irish bread featuring four simple ingredients, golden crust, and tender crumb.
# What you'll 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
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or dust lightly with flour.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. 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 just until it holds together—avoid overworking. Shape into a round, slightly flattened loaf about 2 inches thick. Transfer to prepared baking sheet.
05 - Using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross across the top of the loaf. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
06 - Transfer bread to a wire rack. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to ensure proper texture.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- You can have fresh baked bread on the table in under an hour, start to finish
- The chemistry between buttermilk and baking soda creates the most tender crumb without any yeast or proofing time
02 -
- Overworking the dough makes it tough—handle it gently and barely knead it
- The X on top is not just for looks, it helps the bread bake evenly throughout
03 -
- Cool the bread for at least 30 minutes before slicing—cutting it warm will make the texture gummy
- The hollow sound when tapping the bottom is your best indicator that it is done baking