Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread Recipe
A hearty and flavorful Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread made with fresh herbs, sharp cheddar cheese, and buttermilk, delivering a rustic loaf that’s perfect for sandwiches or as a side to soups and stews.
- Author: Nethan
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 servings) 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 flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring well to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt.
- Add herbs and cheese. Incorporate the chopped fresh chives, thyme, rosemary, and sage along with the shredded cheddar cheese into the dry mixture, mixing gently to combine.
- Add buttermilk and form dough. Pour in the buttermilk and stir until a sticky dough forms. Avoid over mixing to keep the bread tender.
- Knead lightly and shape. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead just a couple of times until smooth. Shape it into a ball and pat into a 7-inch diameter circle.
- Prepare for baking. Lightly flour a baking sheet and transfer the dough onto it. Dust the top with a little flour and use a sharp knife to score a cross about ½ inch deep into the top of the dough. This helps with rising and even baking.
- Bake the bread. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Continue baking for another 30 to 35 minutes until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool the bread. Remove the bread from the oven and wrap it in a clean tea towel. Let it cool this way to soften the crust through steam, keeping the bread moist and tender inside.
- Serve and enjoy. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature, perfect with butter, soups, or sandwiches.
Notes
- Do not over-knead the dough or it will become dense and heavy.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor and aroma.
- Buttermilk can be substituted with milk mixed with 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar, let sit 5 minutes before using.
- Store leftover bread wrapped in a tea towel or in a bread box to maintain crust texture.
- This bread freezes well; slice before freezing for easy toasting later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 70g)
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: soda bread, cheddar bread, herb bread, Irish bread, quick bread, savory bread