Cheddar And Herb Soda Bread (Printable View)
Savory quick bread with sharp cheddar and fresh herbs. Golden crust, ready in under an hour.
# What You 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 Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or dust lightly with flour.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and black pepper until thoroughly blended.
03 - Add grated cheddar, chives, parsley, and thyme to the flour mixture. Toss gently to distribute evenly throughout.
04 - Create a well in the center of the mixture. Pour in buttermilk and melted butter. Stir with a fork or spatula just until dough comes together—avoid overmixing.
05 - Turn dough onto a floured surface. Gently shape into a round loaf approximately 7 inches in diameter and 2 inches high. Transfer to prepared baking sheet.
06 - Cut a deep cross pattern on top of the loaf using a sharp knife. Brush lightly with additional melted butter if desired.
07 - Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown and loaf produces a hollow sound when tapped on the bottom.
08 - Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature, ideally with butter.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- No yeast, no proofing, no waiting around for dough to rise—just mix and bake
- The combination of sharp cheddar and fresh herbs turns simple quick bread into something that feels fancy enough for guests
02 -
- Overworking the dough makes it tough, so mix only until everything comes together
- The deep cross cut isn't just traditional—it helps the center bake through properly
03 -
- Cold ingredients keep the butter from melting too early, so chill your buttermilk if your kitchen is warm
- The best way to tell if it's done is the sound test—tap the bottom and listen for that hollow echo