Irish Cheddar Soda Bread Recipes

GARLIC CHEDDAR HERB IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda and sugar.
• Add the cheese and herbs and toss to coat.
• Break the butter up into the flour and using your hands, pinch and mix the flour in until it resembles a grainy texture.
• Make a well in the center and add the egg and buttermilk.
• Use a wooden spoon to stir it together then switch to your hands and knead the dough gently just until it forms a ball.
• Butter a skillet, dutch oven or cookie sheet and place the dough on top.
• Use a knife to cut a cross in the dough, only about 1/2" deep and then bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top is brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
• Remove from the oven and serve hot and fresh.

IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place the flour, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
• Add about 1 1/4 cups of the buttermilk to the flour mixture, working it into a shaggy dough with clean hands.
• If the dough seems too dry, add more buttermilk until a sticky dough is formed.
• Knead the dough a few times (being careful not to overwork it), then transfer it to a baking sheet and pat it to a thickness of about 1 1/2-inches.
• Score the dough in a criss-cross pattern with a floured knife, and puncture each of the 4 quarters with the tip of the knife.
• Bake the soda bread for 15 minutes at 450 degrees, then turn the oven temperature down to 400 degrees and bake for another 25 minutes.
• Turn the bread upside down and continue to bake at 400 degrees for another 5 minutes.
• Tap the loaf with your fingertips- it should make a hollow sound and be golden brown and crusty.

BASIC IRISH SODA BREAD WITH CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat eggs in a bowl and set aside. Place the Parmesan cheese into a shallow bowl.
• In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, and baking soda until well combined. Add in milk, several tablespoons at a time, until the mixture forms a soft dough. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured work surface, and knead several times until the dough comes together.
• Roll the dough out into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick, and cut into 2x3-inch squares. Brush each square with beaten egg, and dip the top of the square into the Parmesan cheese. Place the squares onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the squares are lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

ROSEMARY CHEDDAR IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Liine a baking pan with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl or stand mixer, mix together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, pepper, rosemary, cheese and butter.
• Add the egg to the buttermilk and beat until mixed.
• Add the buttermilk mixture to the flour and lightly mix through until it becomes sticky and a ball forms.
• Dump the dough out onto a flour dusted work surface and roughly knead the dough into an ball shape. It may be on the wet side so have some extra flour on hand for dusting.
• Place the dough onto your prepared baking tray. Take a sharp serrated knife and cut a small X on top of the soda bread.
• Season the top with some more salt and pepper and bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes and the top is golden brown.
• Let cool for 20 minutes before slicing and serving with butter.

IRISH CHEDDAR SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Toss in the cold butter. Using a pastry cutter or two butter knives, "cut" the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture is crumbly, with some pea-size clumps of butter within. Mix in the cheese.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and the egg. Add to the dry ingredients and stir until everything is just moistened. Do not overmix.
• Transfer the sticky dough to the prepared pan. Dust your hands with flour and press the dough to the edges of the pan. Bake the bread for 40-45 minutes, until golden brown and a cake tester comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool. Cut into wedges and serve warm with softened butter.
• Note: If you'd like to make your own buttermilk, check out the easy method here.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. Once it's completely cooled, wrap it securely in plastic wrap and place in the freezer. To reheat, wrap the bread in aluminum foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until hot.

GARLIC CHEDDAR IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425.
• Mince the garlic and herbs.
• In a small bowl, add in the dry ingredients (all purpose flour, baking soda + powder, salt, pepper and sugar) and whisk until combined. Add in the cheddar cheese, fresh herbs and garlic and stir in to combine.
• Add in the slices of cold salted butter and cut in using pastry cutter until it's fully combined. If you don't have a pastry cutter, use your hands. The end result should be pea-like crumbles. See photo above in blog for reference.
• To this, add in the butter milk and stir until a dough is formed. If needed, add more flour to be able to shape the dough.
• Spray cast iron skillet with non-stick cooking spray and add the dough directly to the 10 inch cast iron skillet. Add an X pattern in the middle with a sharp knife. Brush lightly with buttermilk.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and it comes out clean. Let cool for several minutes before you remove it from the skillet and slice. Serve warm with butter. Enjoy!
• Store leftovers in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for 1-2 days.