Copycat Mary Berry’s Soda Bread Recipe

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For me, few recipes capture that homely warmth better than Mary Berry’s Soda Bread. Quick, simple, and full of rustic charm, this recipe is proof that baking doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious.

With her signature fuss-free approach to ingredients and clear instructions, Mary Berry’s take on soda bread is a delightful twist on a classic.

How to make Mary Berry’s Soda Bread

Mary Berry’s Soda Bread is a simple, traditional-style bread recipe popularized in her baking books and shows. It’s her take on classic Irish soda bread—quick, rustic, and made without yeast.

Ingredients

Mary Berry’s Soda Bread calls for simple, everyday pantry staples. You can adjust some elements to suit your taste:

• 250g plain flour (or a mix of plain and wholemeal flour for extra texture)
• 50g strong white flour (this boosts structure in the bread)
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (the key ingredient to replace yeast as the raising agent)
• ½ tsp salt
• 300ml buttermilk or soured milk (if you can’t find buttermilk, add 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes)
• Optional: You can add flavourful extras like seeds (sunflower, chia or sesame) or chopped herbs (rosemary or thyme) for a more unique loaf.

Instructions

1. Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) / Gas Mark 6. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly dust it with flour.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the plain flour, strong white flour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt. Give it a whisk to ensure the bicarbonate of soda is evenly distributed throughout the mix.
3. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk. Using your hand or a wooden spoon, gently bring the mixture together into a soft dough. Be careful not to overmix; working the dough too much can result in a dense loaf.
4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a round shape. Transfer it to your prepared baking tray. Using a sharp knife, score a deep cross into the top of the dough. Traditionally, this is said to let the fairies out—but it also helps the bread bake evenly.
5. Place your bread in the oven and bake for around 30 minutes or until it turns golden brown on the outside. To check if it’s done, tap the bottom of the loaf—it should sound hollow.
6. Leave your soda bread to cool on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with butter, or pair it with soup for a comforting meal.

Tips for the Perfect Mary Berry Soda Bread

• Don’t overmix the dough: Soda bread doesn’t need kneading because it relies on the chemical reaction between bicarbonate of soda and buttermilk, not on gluten development. A gentle hand will give you a light crumb.
• Score the cross deeply: This prevents the bread from puffing unevenly and gives it a delightfully rustic look once baked.
• Buttermilk substitutes: If you’re in a pinch, soured milk (milk with lemon or vinegar) works just as well. Alternatively, you can use plain yoghurt thinned with a little milk.
• Use extra flour for shaping: The dough can be sticky, so keep your hands and your work surface lightly dusted with flour to make shaping easier.
• Get creative with mix-ins: Add seeds for crunch, dried fruit for sweetness, or herbs for a savoury twist. Soda bread is very forgiving, so feel free to experiment.
• Serve fresh: Soda bread is best enjoyed fresh on the day you bake it. Leftovers can be sliced and toasted in the days following.

What to serve with

Mary Berry’s Soda Bread is a simple, rustic delight that pairs beautifully with so many meals. Its slightly dense texture and mild flavour make it a versatile bread that pairs well with both sweet and savoury ingredients.

1. Hearty Soups

There’s no better companion to soda bread than a warm bowl of soup. Tear off chunks of bread and use them to scoop up every comforting bite. Popular soup options to pair with soda bread include:

• Vegetable soup: The mildness of soda bread complements the earthy vegetables.
• Tomato soup: A classic pairing, perfect for dipping.
• Irish potato and leek soup: Rooted in tradition, this creamy soup pairs well with the bread’s rustic flavour.
• Chunky lentil or split pea soup: The dense bread holds up well with hearty, textured soups.

2. Cheese Spreads or Boards

For a simple snack or light lunch, slice soda bread and serve with:

• Soft cheeses: Brie, goat’s cheese, or cream cheese spread generously over soda bread.
• Strong-flavoured cheeses: Mature cheddar, Stilton, or smoked cheese can contrast beautifully with the bread’s gentle flavour.
• Accompaniments: Add chutneys or pickles (e.g., onion marmalade or fig jam) to bring a touch of sweetness and tang.

Ingredients Substitutes

If you’re craving the rustic charm of Mary Berry’s soda bread but don’t have all the ingredients on hand, don’t worry! Soda bread is a wonderfully flexible recipe, allowing for easy substitutions without compromising on flavour or texture.

1. Flour Substitutes

The original recipe calls for plain flour (or a mix of plain and wholemeal flour) and strong white flour. Here’s how you can adjust if needed:

For Plain Flour (All-Purpose Flour):

• Wholemeal Flour (Whole Wheat Flour): Use 100% wholemeal flour to create a denser, more rustic loaf. Keep in mind that it will absorb more liquid, so you may need to add a bit more buttermilk to achieve a soft dough.
• Self-Raising Flour: If plain flour isn’t available, self-raising flour can be a substitute. Since it already contains raising agents, you may reduce the bicarbonate of soda slightly (to about ¾ tsp) to avoid overpowering the flavour.
• Gluten-Free Flour: Use a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Also, add 1 tsp of xanthan gum to help bind the dough and improve texture.

For Strong White Flour:

Strong white flour (bread flour) adds structure to the bread. If you don’t have it:

• Use 100% plain or wholemeal flour (a blend works well). The bread will be slightly less structured, but still delicious.
• If you have rye flour, you can swap in a small amount alongside plain flour for a lovely nutty flavour.

2. Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda)

This is the key raising agent in soda bread, reacting with the acid in buttermilk to produce carbon dioxide, which helps the bread rise.

Substitute for Bicarbonate of Soda:

Baking Powder: If you don’t have bicarbonate of soda, you can use baking powder instead. Since baking powder already contains an acidic component, you may omit the buttermilk’s acidity (see substitutions below). Replace 1 tsp of bicarbonate of soda with 2 tsp baking powder.

3. Buttermilk

Buttermilk is an essential ingredient in soda bread, providing the acidity needed to react with bicarbonate of soda. If you don’t have buttermilk, here are several easy replacements:

Buttermilk Substitutes:

• Soured Milk: Make your own buttermilk by adding 1 tbsp of lemon juice or white vinegar to 300ml of milk. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it curdles slightly. This works perfectly in the recipe.
• Plain Yoghurt: Mix 150ml plain yoghurt with 150ml water or milk to achieve a consistency similar to buttermilk. The tangy flavour will still complement the bread.
• Cream of Tartar: Combine 300ml regular milk or cream with 1 tsp cream of tartar for a similar acidic reaction.
• Kefir: If you have kefir, a cultured dairy drink, you can use it as a direct substitute for buttermilk. It provides a tangy flavour and excellent moisture.
• Plant-based Alternatives: Use almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk mixed with 1 tbsp of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar for a vegan-friendly version.

4. Salt

Salt enhances the flavour of soda bread and balances the richness of the flour and buttermilk.

Substitute for Regular Salt:

• Sea Salt or Kosher Salt: These work just as well. Adjust the amount based on the grain size.
• Herbs or Spices (for seasoning): If you want to experiment, you could season with garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs to add a unique flavour twist.

Final Thoughts

Mary Berry’s Soda Bread is a brilliant recipe for bakers of all skill levels. It’s hearty, wholesome, and versatile—perfect for sharing with friends and family. 

More Mary Berry’s Recipes:

• Copycat Mary Berry’s Coronation Chicken Recipe
• Cheese Scones by Mary Berry
• Copycat Mary Berry’s Cinnamon Rolls Recipe