There's nothing as Irish as a perfect loaf of brown soda bread — and with the National Ploughing Championships almost here, brown bread is having its moment. Euronics is proud to sponsor the Brown Bread Baking Competition at the Ploughing (15–17 September), so here's the toolkit to bake a champion loaf at home.
The good news: soda bread is simple
Traditional brown soda bread needs no yeast and no proving — just wholemeal flour, bicarbonate of soda, buttermilk and a hot oven. The magic is in good ingredients, accurate measuring and an even bake.
Your brown bread toolkit
- Digital scales: precise quantities are the difference between dense and perfect.
- A reliable oven: an even, accurate fan oven gives a good rise and golden crust.
- A mixing setup: a light hand is key for soda bread, but a stand mixer is brilliant for yeasted brown breads and everything else you'll bake.
- A cooling rack so the base stays crisp.
Champion tips
- Don't overwork the dough — mix just until it comes together.
- Cut a deep cross to help it cook through and “let the fairies out”.
- Tap the base — a hollow sound means it's done.
- Cool fully before slicing.
Final thoughts
Good ingredients, accurate scales and an even oven are all you need for a championship loaf. Best of luck to everyone competing at the Ploughing! Browse ovens and stand mixers online, or call into any of our 60+ stores.
