Irish Soda Bread with Cheddar and Chives
A quick and easy Irish soda bread recipe studded with sharp cheddar and fresh chives, perfect for cozy comfort on chilly days. This rustic loaf offers a tender crumb with a slightly crisp crust and a savory, cheesy aroma.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 servings) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 ½ cups (170g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup (about 10g) fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 ¾ cups (420ml) buttermilk (or 1 ¾ cups milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
- Optional: pinch of cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Position the rack in the center.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped fresh chives until evenly dispersed.
- Slowly add the buttermilk, stirring with a wooden spoon or your hands until a sticky dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead 3-4 times to bring it together. Shape into a round loaf about 7 inches in diameter and 2-3 inches thick.
- Score a deep ‘X’ across the top of the loaf using a sharp knife or bench scraper.
- Place the loaf on a baking sheet or cast-iron skillet and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Transfer the bread to a cooling rack and let it rest at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Do not overwork the dough to keep the bread tender. Use cold butter to create pockets that melt during baking for a tender crumb. Score the top deeply to help the bread rise evenly. If the bread browns too quickly, tent with foil. Let the bread cool before slicing to allow the crumb to set. Fresh baking soda is important for proper rise.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 60g)
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 7
Keywords: Irish soda bread, cheddar bread, chives, quick bread, no yeast bread, savory bread, homemade bread, comfort food