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A classic Irish cheddar soda bread featuring a crispy golden crust and soft, cheesy interior, ideal for pairing with soups and stews.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1 1/2 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
  3. Add the cold butter cubes to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour mixture until a crumbly texture with pea-sized butter pieces remains.
  4. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese into the bowl and gently stir to combine evenly.
  5. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk until smooth.
  6. Pour the wet egg and buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients bowl.
  7. Gently stir just until no dry flour remains, being careful not to overmix to avoid dense bread.
  8. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan to prevent sticking.
  9. Lightly flour your hands and press the dough evenly into the prepared pan, spreading all the way to the edges.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and firm to the touch.
  11. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick or cake tester in the center; it should emerge clean if the bread is baked through.
  12. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully flipping it onto a wire rack to cool further.
  13. Slice and serve warm, optionally with butter.

Notes

If buttermilk is unavailable, substitute by adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk; let sit for 5 minutes before use., Avoid overmixing the dough to keep the bread soft and tender rather than dense., Cheese can be substituted with Gruyère, Swiss, Pepper Jack, or any meltable cheese of choice., Bread can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored tightly wrapped at room temperature; reheat at 350°F for 5-10 minutes before serving., For freezing, wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap and foil or place in a freezer bag; keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight or bake from frozen.

  • Author: mapps6841@gmail.com
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: Approximately 250 calories per serving
  • Fat: 15g per serving
  • Carbohydrates: 25g per serving
  • Protein: 10g per serving