Cheddar And Herb Soda Bread (Printable Version)
Savory quick bread packed with sharp cheddar and fresh herbs. Golden crust, tender crumb, ready in under an hour.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp salt
03 - 1 tsp baking soda
04 - 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Cheese & Herbs
05 - 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
06 - 3 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
07 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
08 - 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
→ Wet Ingredients
09 - 1 ⅔ cups buttermilk
10 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for brushing)
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly flour it.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and black pepper until well blended.
03 - Add the grated cheddar, chives, parsley, and thyme to the flour mixture. Mix to evenly distribute throughout.
04 - Make a well in the center of the mixture. Pour in the buttermilk and melted butter. Stir with a fork or spatula until the dough just comes together—do not overmix.
05 - Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Shape gently into a round loaf about 7 inches across and 2 inches high. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
06 - Use a sharp knife to cut a deep cross on top of the loaf.
07 - Brush the top lightly with extra melted butter, if desired. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
08 - Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature with butter.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in under 15 minutes with ingredients you probably already have
- The combination of sharp cheddar and fresh herbs creates the most incredible aroma
02 -
- Resist the urge to knead this dough. A light touch keeps it tender and prevents toughness.
- The cross on top isn't just decorative. It's essential for heat penetration in the center of the loaf.
03 -
- Cold buttermilk creates a flakier texture. Leave it in the fridge until the last moment.
- The bread is done when it's deeply golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.