Irish-Style Soda Bread with Honey Butter

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional Irish breakfast bread with a soft crumb and sweet honey butter, ready in 30 minutes for a cozy morning start. This irish-inspired breakfast ready in about 50 minutes combines all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 8, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.9 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 8 Irish cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: Whisk 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt in a large bowl.
  3. Step 3: Make a well in the center, then pour in 1 cup buttermilk and stir with a fork until a shaggy dough forms—do not overmix.
  4. Step 4: Turn dough onto a floured surface and gently knead 3-4 times until just combined.
  5. Step 5: Shape into a 1-inch-thick round loaf, then slash a cross on top with a sharp knife.
  6. Step 6: Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
  7. Step 7: While bread cools, mix 2 tbsp softened unsalted butter with 2 tbsp honey in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
  8. Step 8: Slice warm bread and serve with honey butter for a sweet, comforting breakfast.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Irish-Style Soda Bread with Honey Butter take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.

How do I store leftover Irish-Style Soda Bread with Honey Butter?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.

Can I substitute ingredients in Irish-Style Soda Bread with Honey Butter?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Irish-Style Soda Bread with Honey Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Irish-Style Soda Bread with Honey Butter?

Irish breakfast like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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