Cheddar And Herb Soda Bread (Print Page)

Rustic quick bread with sharp cheddar, chives, parsley, and thyme. Golden crust, tender crumb, 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and black pepper in a large bowl.
03 - Add grated cheddar, chives, parsley, and thyme. Mix to distribute evenly.
04 - Make a well in center. Pour in buttermilk and melted butter. Stir with fork until dough just comes together—do not overmix.
05 - Turn dough onto floured surface. Shape gently into round loaf about 7 inches across and 2 inches high. Place on prepared baking sheet.
06 - Use sharp knife to cut deep cross on top of loaf.
07 - Brush top with extra melted butter if desired. Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when tapped on bottom.
08 - Cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature with butter.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Its ready in under an hour from start to finish, perfect for last minute dinner cravings
  • The combination of sharp cheddar and fresh herbs creates this incredible savory flavor profile that feels fancy but couldnt be simpler
02 -
  • Overmixing is the enemy here—work the dough just until it comes together for tender results
  • The cross cut isnt just for looks—it helps the center bake through properly
03 -
  • Cold buttermilk helps keep the butter from melting too quickly before baking
  • Let the loaf cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing to prevent the cheese from oozing out

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