Savory Herbed Cheddar Bread (Printable)
Hearty Irish bread featuring sharp cheddar cheese and fragrant herbs, perfect for warm pairings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tbsp granulated sugar
03 - 1 tsp baking soda
04 - 1 tsp fine sea salt
→ Cheese & Herbs
05 - 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
06 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
07 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
08 - 1 tsp dried thyme
→ Wet Ingredients
09 - 1 ½ cups buttermilk, cold
10 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
11 - 1 large egg, lightly beaten
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
03 - Stir in the grated cheddar, chives, parsley, and thyme until evenly distributed.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter, and egg.
05 - Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix just until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
06 - Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead 4–5 times to bring it together, then shape into a round loaf about 7 inches in diameter.
07 - Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. With a sharp knife, cut a deep X across the top.
08 - Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the crust is deeply golden and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
09 - Cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing to ensure proper texture.
# Tips from dashanddishes:
01 -
- This bread comes together in under fifteen minutes from start to finish
- The combination of sharp cheddar and fragrant herbs creates the most incredible aroma
- It pairs perfectly with soups, stews, or just slathered with butter for a simple dinner
02 -
- Overmixing will make your bread tough, so stop as soon as the dough comes together
- Cutting the X on top helps the heat penetrate the center and creates that classic soda bread look
- Cooling is essential or the inside will be gummy even if the outside looks perfect
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded for better melting
- The X cut should be about a quarter inch deep to help the bread bake evenly