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Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 64 reviews

This Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread offers a delightful twist on traditional soda bread by incorporating a blend of fresh herbs and sharp cheddar cheese for added flavor. Easy to prepare and quick to bake, this rustic bread is perfect for accompanying soups, stews, or enjoying on its own with butter.

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. Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to warm up while you prepare the dough. This high initial temperature helps the bread rise and form a crust.
  2. Mix dry ingredients and add herbs and cheese. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until combined. Add the freshly chopped chives, thyme, rosemary, and sage then stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, distributing everything evenly.
  3. Add buttermilk. Pour the 1 ¾ cups of buttermilk into the flour mixture. Stir until the dough just comes together; it will be sticky and shaggy. Do not overmix to preserve the bread’s light texture.
  4. Shape dough. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead a couple of times just enough to combine and smooth into a ball. Then flatten the ball into a 7-inch circle shape. Avoid over-kneading as this will toughen the bread and inhibit rising.
  5. Prepare baking sheet and score dough. Lightly flour a baking sheet and carefully transfer your dough circle to it. Dust the surface with a bit more flour, then use a sharp knife to score a cross about ½ inch deep into the top of the dough. This aids even cooking and rising.
  6. Bake bread. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for an additional 30 to 35 minutes until the bread is cooked through. The bread will sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  7. Cool bread. Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and wrap it in a clean tea towel while it cools. This steaming step softens the crust, making the bread tender yet crusty outside. Allow it to cool before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Do not over-knead the dough to ensure a light and tender crumb.
  • Scoring the dough helps the bread rise evenly and prevents cracking.
  • Wrapping the hot bread in a tea towel while cooling helps soften the crust without losing the texture.
  • For a sharper cheese flavor, use extra mature cheddar.
  • Fresh herbs can be adjusted based on preference or availability.
  • Use buttermilk at room temperature for best dough consistency.

Keywords: Cheddar, Herb, Soda Bread, Irish Bread, Quick Bread, Cheesy Bread, Fresh Herbs, Rustic Bread

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