Savory Herbed Cheddar Bread (Printable Version)

Hearty cheddar and herb bread with a golden crust, ideal for savory pairings or a warm snack.

# 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 cold buttermilk
10 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
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 - Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl until well incorporated.
03 - Stir in grated cheddar, chives, parsley, and thyme until evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
04 - Whisk together buttermilk, melted butter, and beaten egg in a separate bowl until uniform.
05 - Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon or hands just until a shaggy dough forms. Avoid overmixing to prevent toughness.
06 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Gently knead 4–5 times to bring together, then shape into a round loaf approximately 7 inches in diameter.
07 - Place loaf on prepared baking sheet. Cut a deep X across the top with a sharp knife to allow for proper expansion during baking.
08 - Bake for 35–40 minutes until crust is deeply golden and a skewer inserted into the center emerges clean.
09 - Transfer to wire rack and cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing to allow the crumb to set properly.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get that bakery style loaf with zero waiting time for dough to rise
  • The combination of sharp cheddar and fresh herbs makes every bite feel special
  • It comes together in one bowl with ingredients you probably already have
02 -
  • Overmixing will make the bread tough so stop as soon as the dough comes together
  • Cutting the X on top helps the heat penetrate the center and gives it that classic soda bread look
  • The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese from a block instead of buying pre shredded for better melting
  • Keep your buttermilk and butter cold until you mix them for a tender crumb

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