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Savory Irish Soda Bread with Cheddar and Chives

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A quick and easy homemade Irish soda bread with sharp cheddar and fresh chives, perfect for cozy meals and packed with savory flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (480 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon (6 g) salt
  • 1 ¾ cups (420 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 4 tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1 cup (115 g) sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • ¼ cup (15 g) fresh chives, finely chopped
  • Optional: pinch of black pepper or crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Stir in the grated cheddar cheese and chopped chives until evenly distributed.
  5. Slowly add the room-temperature buttermilk to the dry ingredients. Mix gently with a wooden spoon until the dough just comes together; it will be sticky and shaggy. Avoid overmixing.
  6. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a round loaf about 7 inches (18 cm) across and 3 inches (8 cm) tall. Do not knead; just fold and press lightly to hold shape.
  7. Transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross about ½ inch (1.2 cm) deep across the top.
  8. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  9. Transfer to a cooling rack and let rest at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

If cheddar is moist, pat dry before grating to avoid soggy dough. For extra crispy crust, bake on a preheated cast iron skillet instead of a baking sheet. Do not overmix dough to keep bread tender. Let buttermilk come to room temperature before mixing. Score the bread deeply to allow steam to escape and prevent cracking.

Nutrition

Keywords: Irish soda bread, cheddar bread, chives, savory bread, quick bread, homemade bread, easy bread recipe

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/savory-irish-soda-bread-with-cheddar-and-chives-easy-homemade-recipe/