Savory Herbed Cheddar Bread (Printable Version)

Hearty Irish loaf with sharp cheddar and fresh herbs, great warm or alongside soups and stews.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tbsp granulated sugar
03 - 1 tsp baking soda
04 - 1 tsp fine sea salt

→ Cheese & Herbs

05 - 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
06 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
07 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
08 - 1 tsp dried thyme

→ Wet Ingredients

09 - 1 ½ cups buttermilk, cold
10 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
11 - 1 large egg, lightly beaten

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease the surface.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined.
03 - Stir in grated cheddar, chives, parsley, and thyme until evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, melted butter, and beaten egg until uniform.
05 - Pour wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix just until a shaggy dough forms—do not overmix.
06 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead 4–5 times to bring together, then shape into a round loaf approximately 7 inches in diameter.
07 - Transfer dough to prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut a deep X across the top of the loaf.
08 - Bake for 35–40 minutes until crust is deeply golden and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
09 - Cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing to ensure proper texture.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of sharp cheddar and fragrant herbs creates an incredibly savory bread that's impossible to stop eating
  • Ready in under an hour with minimal effort, making it perfect for lastminute dinner additions
  • The rustic, homemade texture feels like something from a bakery but comes together with simple pantry ingredients
02 -
  • Overworking the dough will make your bread tough, so mix just until everything comes together
  • Cold buttermilk is crucial because it keeps the butter from melting too quickly and helps create a better texture
  • The deep X cut isn't just traditional, it helps the bread bake evenly and allows heat to reach the center
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese from a block instead of buying pre shredded cheese, which contains anti caking agents that can affect the bread's texture
  • If you don't have buttermilk, make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to a measuring cup and filling with milk to reach 1 1/2 cups

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