Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread (Printable)
Savory rustic bread with sharp cheddar and herbs, 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
→ Wet Ingredients
09 - 1 ⅔ cups buttermilk
10 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
# How to Cook:
01 - Preheat 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 until evenly distributed throughout.
04 - Create 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. Gently shape into a round loaf approximately 7 inches across and 2 inches high. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
06 - Use a sharp knife to cut a deep cross pattern on top of the loaf.
07 - Brush the top lightly with extra melted butter for a golden finish, if desired.
08 - Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
09 - Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature, generously buttered.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your fridge and pantry
- The combination of sharp cheddar and fresh herbs turns a simple bread into something that feels restaurant worthy
02 -
- Overmixing the dough will make your bread tough so stop as soon as the flour is incorporated
- The deep cross cut is not just decorative. It helps the bread bake evenly and allows the center to cook through properly
03 -
- Cold buttermilk helps keep the butter from melting too quickly which contributes to a better texture
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded cheese which contains anti caking agents that can affect the breads texture