Where to eat Irish Brown Soda Bread in Kilkenny

5 editor picks for Irish Brown Soda Bread in Kilkenny, ranked by editorial score. All Kilkenny signature dishes · Irish Brown Soda Bread across every city.

Make it at home

Serves 155 minEasy

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

  1. Heat oven to 220C. Dust a baking tray with flour.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together wholemeal flour, plain flour, oats, bicarbonate, and salt.
  3. Warm the treacle gently with 3 tbsp of the buttermilk until it loosens, then whisk into the rest of the buttermilk.
  4. Make a well in the dry ingredients, pour in the buttermilk mix. Stir with a wooden spoon just until combined; do not knead.
  5. 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).
  6. Scatter the seeds across the top.
  7. Bake 35 to 40 minutes until deep brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the base.
  8. 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.

Editor tip. 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.