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Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 136 reviews
  • Author: Mia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 65 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf (serves 8)
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Irish

Description

This Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread is a rustic, flavorful quick bread enhanced with fresh herbs and sharp cheddar cheese. Made with simple pantry staples and buttermilk, it comes together quickly without yeast, offering a perfect savory bread to accompany soups, stews, or to enjoy on its own. The bread features a tender crumb with a golden crust and aromatic notes from chives, thyme, rosemary, and sage.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra as needed
  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt

Herbs and Cheese

  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh sage
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cups buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dry Ingredients. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
  2. Add Herbs and Cheese. Stir in the chopped fresh chives, thyme, rosemary, sage, and shredded cheddar cheese evenly into the dry mixture to distribute the flavors uniformly.
  3. Add Buttermilk and Mix Dough. Pour the buttermilk into the bowl and stir just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix to ensure good rise and texture.
  4. Shape the Dough. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently bring it together and knead lightly a couple of times just until smooth. Shape into a ball and flatten into a 7-inch diameter circle.
  5. Prepare for Baking. Lightly flour a baking sheet and transfer the dough onto it. Dust the top with a little more flour to prevent sticking. Use a sharp knife to score a deep cross about 1/2 inch deep into the top of the dough. This helps the bread expand while baking.
  6. Bake the Bread. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for another 30 to 35 minutes until the bread is fully cooked. The loaf will sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  7. Cool the Bread. Once baked, remove the soda bread from the oven and wrap it in a clean tea towel. Let it cool completely; the steam trapped in the towel will soften the crust, making it tender and delicious.

Notes

  • Be careful not to over-knead the dough, as this will make the bread dense and hinder rising.
  • Fresh herbs can be substituted or adjusted based on your preference; dried herbs are not recommended as they may alter the texture and flavor balance.
  • Use a sharp knife to score the dough deeply to encourage proper expansion during baking.
  • Wrapping the bread in a tea towel during cooling is essential for a soft crust.
  • Serve freshly baked soda bread warm or toasted with butter for best flavor.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 loaf)
  • Calories: 230
  • Sugar: 1.5g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 1.5g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

Find it online: https://mealsbymia.com/cheddar-and-herb-soda-bread-recipe/