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Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread Recipe

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4.4 from 60 reviews

This Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread is a quick and flavorful homemade bread, enriched with fresh chives, thyme, rosemary, sage, and sharp shredded cheddar cheese. Perfectly soft on the inside with a slightly crisp crust, this soda bread is ideal for a comforting snack or a savory accompaniment to any meal.

  • Total Time: 51 minutes
  • Yield: 1 7-inch round loaf (serves 8)

Ingredients

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 Ingredient

  • 1 ¾ cups buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the soda bread.
  2. Mix dry ingredients and herbs: In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir well to distribute evenly. Add the chopped fresh chives, thyme, rosemary, and sage, along with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, mixing gently to combine.
  3. Add buttermilk and form dough: Pour in 1 ¾ cups of buttermilk to the dry mixture. Stir just until the dough comes together. Avoid over-mixing to keep the bread light.
  4. Knead dough lightly: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently a couple of times until a smooth ball forms. Over-kneading can toughen the bread and impact rising.
  5. Shape the dough: Pat the dough into a 7-inch diameter circle, ensuring even thickness for consistent baking.
  6. Prepare for baking: Lightly flour a baking sheet and transfer the shaped dough onto it. Dust the top of the dough with a little extra flour. Using a sharp knife, score a cross shape about ½ inch deep on the top to help the bread expand while baking.
  7. Bake initially at high temperature: Bake the bread in the preheated oven at 425°F for 15 minutes to create a crisp crust.
  8. Reduce heat and continue baking: Lower the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for an additional 30 to 35 minutes. The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  9. Cool the bread: Once baked, wrap the soda bread in a clean tea towel while it cools. The towel traps steam to soften the crust slightly, resulting in a tender texture.

Notes

  • Do not over-knead the dough to ensure the soda bread rises properly and stays tender.
  • Make sure to score the dough deeply enough to allow proper expansion during baking.
  • Use fresh herbs for the best flavor impact.
  • Check doneness by tapping the bottom of the bread; a hollow sound indicates it is fully baked.
  • Wrapping the bread in a tea towel after baking helps keep the crust soft and prevents it from becoming too hard.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 6 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Irish

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