Cheddar and Herb Soda Bread (Printable)

Savory quick bread studded with sharp cheddar, parsley, chives, and thyme. Golden crust, tender crumb, ready in 50 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp baking soda
03 - 1 tsp salt
04 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Cheese & Herbs

05 - 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
06 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
08 - 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried thyme)

→ Wet Ingredients

09 - 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
10 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for brushing)

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
03 - Stir in grated cheddar cheese, parsley, chives, and thyme until evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
04 - Make a well in the center of the mixture. Pour in the buttermilk and melted butter. Mix gently with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms, being careful not to overmix.
05 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead just until it comes together into a rough ball; do not overwork. Shape into a round loaf about 7 inches wide and place on the prepared baking sheet.
06 - With a sharp knife, cut a deep X into the top of the loaf. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
07 - Optional: Brush the warm loaf with a little melted butter for a glossy finish. Cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing into 8 servings.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 15 minutes with zero proofing time
  • The combination of sharp cheddar and fresh herbs makes every bite incredibly flavorful
  • You probably have everything you need in your pantry right now
02 -
  • Overworking the dough will make your bread tough, so handle it as little as possible
  • The hollow sound when you tap the bottom is your cue that it's done baking
  • Wait at least 15 minutes before slicing or the steam will escape and make the crumb dry
03 -
  • Cold buttermilk can sometimes cause the butter to seize, so let everything come to room temperature
  • The X cut isn't just traditional, it actually helps the center bake through properly

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