The traditional Irish Soda Bread from Waterford, like many other regional variations, has its unique characteristics and history. Waterford’s “Blaa,” a soft, white bread roll, is perhaps the most famous bread from the area, but when it comes to soda bread, the recipes share the same basic ingredients with slight variations in proportions or technique, reflecting the simplicity and resourcefulness of traditional Irish baking. Here’s an old-fashioned recipe for a classic Irish Soda Bread, inspired by the timeless Waterford approach, focusing on simplicity and the quality of ingredients.

Ingredients

• 4 cups (500g) of all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 and 3/4 cups (400ml) of buttermilk

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lightly dusting it with flour.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This not only combines the ingredients but also aerates the flour, helping to make the bread lighter.
3. Add Buttermilk: Make a well in the center of your dry ingredients and pour in most of the buttermilk. With a wooden spoon or your hand, bring the flour in from the sides of the bowl, stirring until the dough starts to come together. Depending on the absorbency of your flour, you may need a little less or more buttermilk, so add it gradually until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough.
4. Knead the Dough (Minimally): Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead it lightly – not like you would with yeast dough, but just enough to bring it together into a rounded shape. Traditional wisdom suggests handling the dough as little as possible to keep it tender.
5. Shape and Score: Shape the dough into a round loaf. Place it on the prepared baking sheet. With a sharp knife, deeply score the bread with an ‘X’ across the top. This isn’t just for aesthetics; it helps the bread cook through in the center.
6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 to 40 minutes. The bread is done when it sounds hollow upon tapping its bottom. If the bread is browning too quickly but isn’t cooked through, you can tent it with foil and continue baking.
7. Cool: Transfer the baked loaf to a wire rack and let it cool. This bread is best enjoyed the day it’s made, ideally warm with butter.

Note

Irish Soda Bread recipes vary from family to family, with some adding ingredients like sugar, eggs, or even dried fruit to create a sweeter version. However, the traditional Waterford soda bread would stick to the basics: flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk, highlighting the bread’s rustic simplicity and deliciousness.

Enjoy baking this traditional Irish Soda Bread, a humble yet delightful recipe that brings the warmth and charm of Waterford’s culinary history into your home.