Savory Herbed Cheddar Bread (Printable)

Hearty Irish soda loaf featuring sharp cheddar and fresh herbs, perfect for warm snacks or soup pairings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Cheese & Herbs

05 - 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme

→ Wet Ingredients

09 - 1 ½ cups cold buttermilk
10 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
11 - 1 large egg, lightly beaten

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease the surface.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until well blended.
03 - Stir in grated sharp cheddar, chives, parsley, and thyme until evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together cold buttermilk, melted butter, and beaten egg until combined.
05 - Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture. Using a wooden spoon or hands, mix just until a shaggy dough forms. Avoid overmixing to prevent toughness.
06 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead 4–5 times to bring together, then shape into a round loaf approximately 7 inches in diameter.
07 - Transfer loaf to prepared baking sheet. Cut a deep X across the top with a sharp knife to allow for proper expansion during baking.
08 - Bake for 35–40 minutes until crust is deeply golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
09 - Cool on wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing to allow the crumb to set properly.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crumb stays incredibly moist thanks to all that cheddar melting into every bite
  • It comes together in under 15 minutes with zero yeast proofing or waiting around
  • The herb combination transforms basic soda bread into something that feels like it came from a bakery
02 -
  • Overworking the dough makes the bread tough, so stop mixing as soon as the flour is incorporated
  • Grating your own cheese makes a huge difference because pre shredded cheese contains anti caking agents that prevent proper melting
  • The X on top is not just traditional, it helps the center bake through and creates that rustic split appearance
03 -
  • Cold buttermilk is crucial because it keeps the butter from melting too early in the baking process
  • If your dough feels too sticky, flour your hands before shaping instead of adding more flour to the bowl

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