The theme at Sourdough Surprises this month was Irish soda bread (of course). I was excited because I had made it once, and knew how good it was. Plus it was popping up on blogs everywhere so I was already craving it.
From what I’ve seen, there are several variations on this bread. I’ve seen a few versions with seeds and raisins, some without butter, and some with a lot of butter. This one is more of the latter: the biscuit type :)
You know I love biscuits, so having them in bread form is like heaven on earth. Cutting the butter into the flour adds a little more work, but other than that, this bread is really easy.
I wanted to keep it traditional, so I only added the sourdough as a flavor enhancer, and let the baking soda do its work. But you could also let it rise before baking for a fluffier bread. Also, since the sourdough adds the acidic component that the baking soda needs, you don’t really need to use buttermilk, but I used it anyway, to keep it extra biscuity.
Verdict: this bread was so good. Seriously. My dad called it the best bread I ever made, even if it isn’t technically a bread. So yeah, it was really good.
The only problem I had was that the bottom got a little burnt. So if you give it a try, I’d recommend that you bake it near the top of the oven to prevent this issue. And don’t forget to cover it in foil if the top starts to get too toasty.
Check out the rest of the gorgeous sourdough Irish soda breads the guys made, then scroll down for the recipe!
Sourdough Irish Soda Bread
Recipe by Sabor Pastel
Yield: a big loaf (12-16 slices)
3 cups flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
100 g / 3.5 oz butter, cold
1 cup sourdough starter
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup buttermilk
1. Preheat the oven to 410ºF.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda.
3. Cut the butter in cubes and crumble it into the flour, using a pastry blender or spatula, until it resembles coarse sand.
4. Make a well in the middle and add the sourdough starter and the honey.
5. Mix the ingredients into a dough, adding buttermilk as needed. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
6. Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on a greased baking sheet. Make an X shaped cut in the top.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Non-sourdough version: add 1/2 cup of flour to the dry ingredients, and 1/2 cup of water along with the honey.
What great looking soda bread!! I made a more traditional loaf, too, but I keep wanting to try ones with seeds and/or dried fruit in it! So many great choices!
Jenni recently posted…Sourdough Irish Soda Bread
Yeah, I want to try them all! And might as well do :) Thank you!
It doesn’t look burned to me! Soda bread is supposed to have that nice dark crust :)
Russell recently posted…Rye Sourdough Soda Bread
Thank you! And I guess I’m finicky about bottom crusts :P I picked mine out but the rest of my family ate it.
Yum, I love the buttermilk + honey combo. Looks wonderful!
Korena recently posted…{Sourdough} Irish Soda Bread
Thanks Korena!
Oooh, I want to take a bite of that! the crust looks so crunchy and the crumb looks so soft and warm!
Rachael recently posted…Sourdough adventures – soda bread
It was :) Thank you!
Yum! I would love a slice of that right now! Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
Lynn H @ Turnips 2 Tangerines recently posted…Sourdough Irish Soda Bread
So would I, hehe. Thank you!
Looks great! I’ve always wanted to try my hand at making some. Maybe this will motivate me. ;)
morgaine recently posted…A colorful deck seating area makeover: Bring on the Spring!
Thanks! You should definitely give it a try, it’s really easy.
You doesn’t love sourdough bread. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Friday Blog Hop! Have a wonderful healthy day!
Marla recently posted…Real Food Fridays Blog Hop Party For Your Health #30
Thanks Marla :) Have a great week!
I definitely could have used some of this today! Thanks for sharing and linking up with us at the #WWDParty. Have a wonderful week ahead.
Antionette Blake recently posted…Weekend Wind-Down Party #11
I could use some everyday, hehe. Thank you!
Agos, this bread looks absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for sharing at Best of the Weekend and pinned to our party board. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Cindy Eikenberg recently posted…Sequined & Flowered Eggs in Painted Egg Cups
Thanks a lot :)
I make bread often but have never made soda bread. thanks so much for linking it up to The Friday Frenzy – see you again on Friday!
danielle recently posted…Friday Frenzy: One Party – Three Blogs
Thanks! You should give it a try, it’s so good!
This a great idea. I need to try this x
Cybele @ BlahBlah recently posted…Love the Home You Have!
I hope you do! Thank you.
Your Soda Bread looks wonderful, I can almost taste it. Hope you are having a great week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Miz Helen recently posted…Full Plate Thursday 3-27-14
Thanks dear! Thank you for hosting :)
I could eat a slice of that right now, that looks delicious. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again this weekend!
Laura@Baking in Pyjamas recently posted…Sweet and Savoury Sunday Link Party #55
Thanks Laura!
Thank you for sharing your recipes at Meal Planning Monday Recipe Link-Up. :) I hope you stop by and join us again this week. http://www.aprilshomemaking.com/2014/03/meal-planning-monday-recipe-link-up-4.html
April recently posted…Meal Planning Monday Recipe Link-Up #4
Shall do :) Thank you!
I have never tried to make Irish Soda Bread, but I will now! :-) Thanks for linking up with “Try a New Recipe Tuesday.” I hope you will be able to join us again this week. http://our4kiddos.blogspot.com/2014/03/try-new-recipe-tuesday-april-1st.html
Lisa recently posted…Try a New Recipe Tuesday- April 1st
Thank you :) You should give it a try, it’s very yummy and very easy!
My favorite bread ever!! Thanks for linking up at Take it on Tuesday!
~ Betsy @ Romance on a dime
Betsy @ Romance on a Dime recently posted…Baby Boy: 9 months
Thank you!
Oh my goodness. This looks absolutely delicious. Thanks so much for sharing at Thriving on Thursdays at Domesblissity. I’m featuring this at tomorrow’s party.
Anne @ Domesblissity
Anne @ Domesblissity recently posted…Thriving on Thursdays – Linky Party # 111
Thanks a lot Anne! :)
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