Make it at home
Ingredients
- 400g wholemeal flour (coarse if possible, for Irish texture)
- 100g plain flour
- 50g porridge oats
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tbsp dark treacle or molasses
- 400ml buttermilk
- 1 tbsp mixed seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame), for the top
- Extra flour for dusting
Method
- Heat oven to 220C. Dust a baking tray with flour.
- In a large bowl, whisk together wholemeal flour, plain flour, oats, bicarbonate, and salt.
- Warm the treacle gently with 3 tbsp of the buttermilk until it loosens, then whisk into the rest of the buttermilk.
- Make a well in the dry ingredients, pour in the buttermilk mix. Stir with a wooden spoon just until combined; do not knead.
- Tip onto the tray, shape with floured hands into a round about 18cm across and 4cm tall. Cut a deep cross into the top with a sharp knife (Irish tradition says this lets the fairies out).
- Scatter the seeds across the top.
- Bake 35 to 40 minutes until deep brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the base.
- Cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing; the crumb sets as it cools. Serve with cold Irish butter and a slice of Knockdrinna goat's cheese.
Tip from the editors. Buttermilk is non-negotiable; the acid is what triggers the bicarbonate and gives the loaf its rise. If buttermilk is unavailable, sour whole milk with 2 tbsp lemon juice 10 minutes ahead.
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Where to eat irish brown soda bread
Irish Brown Soda Bread in Kilkenny
Arán Artisan Bakery and Bistro ★ 4.7
Arán on Barrack Street won Ireland's Best Brunch at the Georgina Campbell Awards, with fresh-baked sourdough and seasonal brunch plates all day.
The Gourmet Store ★ 4.0
The Gourmet Store on High Street has offered the best-value farmhouse cheese counter since 1997, with fresh-baked bread assembled on the spot.
Kilkenny Farmers Market ★ 4.4
Kilkenny Farmers Market every Thursday on The Parade offers soda bread, farmhouse cheese, honey, and vegetables from €3, the best budget food in the city.
Wildflower Cafe at Butler Gallery ★ 4.0
Wildflower at Butler Gallery serves plant-based bowls, vegan raw cakes, and botanical teas in a walled gallery garden with genuine dietary inclusivity.
DrinkBotanical teas and natural wine
FoodPlant-forward lunch and bakes
Foodworks ★ 3.8
Foodworks on Parliament Street offers farm-to-fork lunches under €14 that draw directly from the owners' family farm, consistently strong value for money.
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