Irish Soda Farls with Butter (Printable)
Quick, traditional Irish griddle bread, served warm with melting butter. Ideal for a comforting breakfast or afternoon treat.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - 1 cup buttermilk
→ To Serve
05 - 2-3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
# How to Make It:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
02 - Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk. Mix quickly with your hand or a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. Incorporate additional buttermilk sparingly if the dough appears too dry.
03 - Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Gently knead just enough to unify the dough, then pat it into a round approximately ¾ inch thick. Using a floured knife, divide the dough into four equal farls.
04 - Heat a heavy-based skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Lightly dust the cooking surface with flour.
05 - Place the farls onto the hot griddle and cook for about 7-8 minutes per side, until they achieve a golden brown color and are thoroughly cooked.
06 - Remove the cooked farls from the pan and immediately wrap them in a clean tea towel for a few minutes to maintain their softness.
07 - Serve the farls warm, generously spread with softened butter.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- You'll be amazed how quickly these come together; perfect for a spontaneous breakfast or unexpected guests.
- They taste like something far more complex than their few ingredients and minimal effort suggest.
02 -
- Avoid overmixing or over-kneading soda bread dough to ensure a tender, not tough, result.
- Master the griddle temperature: too hot burns the outside, too cool dries them out.
03 -
- If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a measuring cup, then filling the rest with regular milk to make 1 cup. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- For an extra crisp crust and fluffy interior, preheat your griddle before dusting with flour, then reduce the heat slightly before adding the farls.