What will happen if I substitute milk for buttermilk in Irish Soda Bread?

Question

I have all the ingredients except for buttermilk and I really want to make it. I also am out of vinager and lemon juice to add to the milk in place of the buttermilk. Does anyone know if using milk will ruin it or will it still be good to eat?
Thanks!

Answer 1

The acid in the buttermilk is what acts with the baking soda to make it rise, with out the push to the levening, the product will be like giant pancake, beleive me, being Irish and a former chef, I have made this may a time for party's on St Paddy's Day.

Plain yougart is fine, but without the extra acid to activate the product, your just wasting your ingredients, borrow some vinegar from your neighbour, surely they have some, I would not recommend making it if you don't have the right stuff.

Answer 2

You must have an acid, otherwise it will not rise, or taste the same, add baking powder instead of the soda and do the milk thing. However it's no considered Irish soda bread anymore, sorry. Otherwise take a trip to the store, or ask a neighbour for a lemon, or some vinegar. Good luck!

Answer 3

You could. . .as in. . .it would still cook. . . But it won't taste even close to the same. It will be very different. Maybe try a different recipe if you can find one without buttermilk or, just wait until you have some lemon juice.

Answer 4

There are some recipes, especially a baking recipe, that need to be followed by the exact recipe. Baking your measurements and ingredients need to be exact because baking is a science. I would make a run to the grocery store to buy buttermilk for the recipe.

Answer 5

Oh my,,,don't do that..use the buttermilk,,believe me..I tried it nothing good comes from substituting Buttermilk and milk. the taste different is dramatic.

Answer 6

You can still eat it but it will not taste as good.