Description
This irresistible Cheddar and Chive Irish Soda Bread is a savory twist on a traditional Irish classic, combining sharp cheddar cheese and fresh chives for a flavorful, tender crumb. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a side with your favorite soups and stews, this quick bread comes together easily without yeast and bakes to a golden crust with a soft interior.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup fresh chives, chopped
Optional Seasonings
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a baking sheet by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined, ensuring the leavening agent is evenly distributed.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture and work it in with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Cheese & Chives: Gently fold the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and chopped fresh chives into the crumbly mixture, evenly distributing the flavorful ingredients.
- Add Buttermilk: Pour the buttermilk over the dry mixture and stir gently with a spoon or spatula until the dough just comes together, being careful not to overmix to keep the bread light.
- Shape & Bake: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a round loaf. Place it on the prepared baking sheet and score a deep cross on the top using a sharp knife. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool & Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature as a delicious accompaniment to meals or on its own.
Notes
- For extra flavor, sprinkle cracked black pepper or garlic powder into the dry ingredients before adding the butter.
- Use cold butter straight from the refrigerator to achieve a crumbly texture in the dough.
- If buttermilk is unavailable, you can substitute by adding 1 ½ tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 ½ cups of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Make sure not to overwork the dough to maintain a tender crumb.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Keywords: Irish soda bread, cheddar chive bread, savory bread, quick bread, homemade bread, Irish recipe, baked bread, cheese bread
