Cheese & Herb Irish Soda Bread

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This hearty cheese & herb Irish soda bread has a dense yet soft and chewy texture. It doesn't require any yeast or rise time before baking. This traditional Irish bread tastes great in savory sandwiches, sweet bread pudding, or just sliced and slathered with butter.

What is Irish Soda Bread

Soda bread does not have soda pop in it, as I thought as a kid. The "soda" comes from baking soda, which replaces yeast to help the bread rise.
Back when wallets and kitchen cupboards were sparse, soda bread gave folks energy and fullness in their bellies. Traditional Irish soda bread is made from just flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk.

Since there is no yeast, the dough does not need to sit out and rise, making it a very hearty and simple "quick bread". Try other easy quick bread recipes like sweet banana bread, chocolate chip zucchini bread, and cozy pumpkin bread.

About this Recipe

This Irish soda bread recipe deviates a little from its traditional origins. I added shredded Irish cheddar cheese along with dried herbs and garlic powder, to give it a dynamic savory flavor.

I also switched out about a third of the all-purpose flour with rye flour, for a heartier taste and richer color. But keeping true to its roots, the only leavening agent is baking soda.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour - provides the base structure for the bread
• Rye flour - adds a nutty flavor and creates a darker brown colored bread
• Salt - brings out the flavor of the other ingredients
• Baking soda - serves as the essential leavening agent to help the bread rise while baking
• Garlic powder - adds a savory flavor
• Dried rosemary and thyme - herbs an enticing flavor and aroma to the bread
• Shredded Irish cheddar cheese - adds a rich, tangy flavor
• Buttermilk -the acidity of the buttermilk reacts with the alkaline baking soda to make the bread rise in the oven without any yeast

How to Make this Recipe

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 420°F.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rye flour, salt, baking soda, garlic powder, dried rosemary and dried thyme.
3. Add the cheese: Stir the shredded cheese into the dry ingredients.
4. Add the buttermilk: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk.
5. Mix the dough: Mix the dough in the mixing bowl until it is soft. It shouldn't feel wet or sticky; if it does, add a little more all-purpose flour.
6. Knead the dough: Knead the dough for just a few seconds, either in the bowl or on a lightly floured work surface.
7. Shape & score the dough: Shape the dough into a dome that is about 7-inches wide. Use a sharp knife to cut a big X into the top of the bread, about one inch deep.
8. Bake the loaf: Bake the bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 40 to 60 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when you tap it.
9. Cool and serve: Allow the bread to cool for at least 30 minutes, then slice and enjoy!!

Recipe Tips

• Scoring an X on the top of the bread before baking it helps the center to bake through and it encourages the top to get crispy.
• Don't over mix the dough. Stop mixing once there are no visible pockets of dry flour. Overmixing your dough can result in tough bread.
• Freeze cooled bread wrapped in plastic cling wrap then aluminum foil for up to three months in the freezer. Thaw the bread at room temperature, then slice and toast it to enjoy warm bread again.
• To make homemade buttermilk, combine a scant 1½ cups of milk with 1½ tablespoons lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to curdle into buttermilk.

What to serve with Irish soda bread

I found that this cheese and herb Irish soda bread tastes especially delicious when slathered with quality butter or even homemade vegan butter. Sweet jam or tangy cranberry sauce also go great with this savory bread. I think in Ireland it might also be served alongside beef or lamb stew at dinner. Perhaps I'll need to make a trip to Ireland to find out!

Irish Roots

Some of my family on my mom's side immigrated from Ireland. My Grandpa's mom, known to us as "Granny" certainly had an Irish unbreakable spitfire spirit. In fact, she was buried with a bottle of whiskey and a deck of cards. Baking this traditionally Irish helps me peek into the window of my family's heritage.