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Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 69 reviews

This Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread is a quick and flavorful bread featuring sharp cheddar cheese and a medley of fresh herbs. Perfect for serving alongside soups, salads, or as a hearty snack, this traditional soda bread offers a tender crumb with a golden crust, achieved through a simple no-yeast baking method that leverages baking soda for leavening.

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 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 these dry ingredients together until evenly mixed.
  2. Add Herbs, Cheese, and Buttermilk: Fold in the chopped fresh herbs—chives, thyme, rosemary, and sage—along with the shredded cheddar cheese. Pour the buttermilk into the bowl and stir everything together until a dough forms.
  3. Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured countertop. Gently knead it just a couple of times to bring it into a smooth ball—you want to avoid over-kneading to ensure a good rise. Pat the dough into a 7-inch diameter circle.
  4. Prepare for Baking: Lightly flour a baking sheet and transfer your dough circle onto it. Dust the top of the dough with a little flour, then use a sharp knife to score a cross about ½ inch deep into the top surface; this helps the bread bake evenly.
  5. Bake the Bread: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the bread at 425°F for 15 minutes. After this, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for an additional 30 to 35 minutes. The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  6. Cool the Bread: Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and wrap it in a clean tea towel. Let it cool wrapped to allow the steam to soften the crust. Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy the fresh, cheesy, and herbaceous flavors.

Notes

  • Do not over-knead the dough as this can result in a dense loaf.
  • Chopping herbs finely ensures even distribution and maximum flavor.
  • Scoring the dough allows for controlled expansion during baking and helps to create a traditional soda bread shape.
  • Wrapping the bread in a tea towel after baking softens the crust by trapping steam.
  • Leftover bread can be toasted the next day for a crispy finish.

Keywords: cheddar, herb soda bread, quick bread, Irish bread, cheese bread, fresh herbs, baking soda bread

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