Oven-Baked Soda Bread with Buttermilk and Caraway Seeds
A traditional Irish quick bread featuring a crisp crust, tender crumb, and the subtle flavor of caraway seeds, perfect fresh from the oven. This irish-inspired st. patrick’s day ready in about 55 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp caraway seeds
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
- 2 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1 tbsp caraway seeds until evenly combined.
- Step 2: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in 1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms, taking care not to overmix.
- Step 3: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a round loaf about 8 inches in diameter. Place the loaf on the prepared baking sheet and use a sharp knife to cut a deep cross into the top.
- Step 4: Brush the top with 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter and bake for 35-40 minutes until the crust is golden brown and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Baked Soda Bread with Buttermilk and Caraway Seeds take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Oven-Baked Soda Bread with Buttermilk and Caraway Seeds?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Baked Soda Bread with Buttermilk and Caraway Seeds?
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 Oven-Baked Soda Bread with Buttermilk and Caraway Seeds 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 Oven-Baked Soda Bread with Buttermilk and Caraway Seeds?
Irish st. patrick’s day 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved this recipe - so easy and delicious with the buttermilk.
- ★★★★★
This soda bread was perfect for St. Patrick's Day! The caraway seeds gave it a wonderful flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Cooked it for my family, and it turned out well, but took about 10 minutes longer than the recipe said.
