Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread Recipe
This Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread is a savory, rustic loaf bursting with fresh herbs and sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for a quick and flavorful bread option. With its tender crumb and slightly crisp crust, it’s ideal for sandwiches, soups, or as a comforting snack.
- Author: Elias
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 60-65 minutes
- Yield: 1 medium loaf (8 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra as needed)
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
Herbs & 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
- Preheat 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 until evenly mixed.
- Add Herbs, Cheese, and Buttermilk: Incorporate the chopped chives, thyme, rosemary, sage, and shredded cheddar cheese into the flour mixture. Pour in the buttermilk and stir gently until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead and Shape the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it lightly just a few times to bring it together into a smooth ball, being careful not to overwork it so it will rise properly. Shape the dough into a 7-inch diameter circle.
- Prepare for Baking: Lightly flour a baking sheet and transfer the dough circle onto it. Dust the top of the dough with a little more flour. Using a sharp knife, score a cross about 1/2 inch deep into the top of the dough to help it expand while baking.
- Bake the Bread: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 minutes at 425°F. Then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for another 30 to 35 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and wrap it in a clean tea towel to cool. The towel traps steam which softens the crust. Once cooled, slice and enjoy your cheesy, herby soda bread.
Notes
- Do not over-knead the dough to ensure proper rise and light texture.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted with about a third of the quantity.
- Ensure the baking soda is fresh for proper leavening.
- Wrap the bread in a tea towel while cooling to keep the crust soft rather than hardening.
- Serve warm with butter, soups, or stews for a comforting meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of loaf)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: soda bread, cheddar bread, herb bread, Irish soda bread, savory bread, quick bread