The Home Economics Bit
Traditionally, Irish soda bread is made using just four ingredients: flour, bread soda, salt, and buttermilk. Soda bread is unleavened (i.e. it doesn’t contain yeast) so the rise is achieved by a reaction that occurs between the bread soda and the buttermilk that creates CO2. Since CO2 is a gas, it rises in the heat of the oven allowing the dough to rise along with it.
Gluten Free Traditional Irish Soda Bread
You'd never guess that this Traditional Irish Soda Bread is gluten free. Best enjoyed on the day it is baked – better still, fresh from the oven – with a generous slathering of real Irish butter.
Ingredients
- 400 g gluten free self raising flour
- 1 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
- 2 tsp bread soda
- 1 egg lightly whisked
- 200 ml natural yoghurt
- 100 ml buttermilk
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- gluten free flour for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C/Gas 6.
- Lightly dust a flat baking tray with gluten free flour.
- Sieve the gluten free self raising flour, bread soda, xanthan gum and salt into a mixing bowl. Add the caster sugar and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, combine the natural yoghurt, egg, buttermilk and apple cider vinegar. Mix until just combined.
- Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients. Pour in the wet ingredients, but not all at once. Add just enough liquid to make a soft dough, not too wet or sticky.
- Turn onto a lightly floured board and gently knead, just enough to bring the dough together.
- Transfer to the prepared baking tray and shape into a round about 4cm/1½" deep. Cut a cross on top.
- Bake for 10 minutes at 200°C, then reduce the heat to 190°C.
- Bake for a further 40-50 minutes until golden brown and tapping underneath produces a hollow sound.
- Best served fresh.
can you freeze this loaf please xx
Hi Anne, yes you can. I’d recommend slicing it and freezing it in slices, just so you can grab a few slices from the freezer to defrost/toast as you need them.