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Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 126 reviews

This Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread recipe is a delightful twist on traditional Irish soda bread, infused with fresh herbs and sharp cheddar cheese. Perfectly crusty on the outside and tender inside, this quick bread requires no yeast and uses baking soda to rise, making it an ideal easy-to-make bread for any occasion.

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 Mix Dry Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir together to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt.
  2. Add Herbs and Cheese: Add the chopped fresh chives, thyme, rosemary, sage, and shredded cheddar cheese to the flour mixture. Stir to combine all ingredients well.
  3. Add Buttermilk and Form Dough: Pour in the buttermilk and mix until a dough forms. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently just a couple of times to bring the dough into a smooth ball. Avoid overkneeading as it can prevent proper rising. Shape the dough into a 7-inch circle.
  4. Prepare for Baking: Lightly flour a baking sheet and place the shaped dough onto it. Dust the top of the dough with a little more flour, then use a sharp knife to score a deep cross about ½ inch deep into the top of the dough. This helps the bread bake evenly.
  5. Bake the Bread: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes at 425°F. Then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for another 30 to 35 minutes. The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  6. Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and wrap it in a clean tea towel to cool. The wrapped steam softens the crust while the bread cools, enhancing texture. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Do not over-knead the dough to ensure the bread rises properly and remains tender.
  • Scoring the dough is essential to allow proper expansion during baking.
  • Use fresh herbs for the best flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted if needed (use about one-third of the fresh quantity).
  • Check the bread’s doneness by tapping the bottom – it should sound hollow when fully baked.
  • Wrapping the bread in a tea towel while cooling helps soften the crust without making it soggy.

Keywords: soda bread, cheddar bread, herb bread, quick bread, Irish soda bread, baked bread, savory bread

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