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Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 78 reviews

This Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread is a deliciously savory quick bread, infused with fresh chives, thyme, rosemary, and sage, combined with sharp shredded cheddar for a flavorful twist. Perfectly tender on the inside with a lightly crisp crust, this bread is quick to make and ideal for serving alongside soups, stews, or as a tasty snack on its own.

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. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients together to ensure they are evenly distributed.
  2. Add Herbs and Cheese: To the flour mixture, add the chopped fresh chives, thyme, rosemary, and sage along with the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir these in to evenly incorporate the herbs and cheese throughout the dry mix.
  3. Add Buttermilk and Form Dough: Pour in the buttermilk gradually and stir until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing at this stage to ensure a tender crumb.
  4. Knead the Dough Lightly: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead it just two or three times, enough to form a smooth ball without overworking it, which would hinder proper rising.
  5. Shape and Score the Dough: Shape the dough into a 7-inch diameter circle. Transfer it to a lightly floured baking sheet, dust the top with a bit more flour, and use a sharp knife to cut a cross about half an inch deep on top of the dough. This helps the bread expand while baking.
  6. 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 and bake for an additional 30 to 35 minutes. The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  7. Cool the Bread: 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, resulting in a tender and flavorful loaf.

Notes

  • Do not over-knead the dough to keep the bread light and fluffy.
  • Use fresh herbs for the best flavor; dried herbs can be substituted but use half the quantity.
  • Check for doneness by tapping the bottom of the loaf – a hollow sound indicates it is fully baked.
  • This bread is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored wrapped at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: cheddar soda bread, herb bread, quick bread, Irish bread, savory bread, buttermilk bread, homemade soda bread

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