a whole loaf of cheddar irish soda bread on a rustic counter

St.Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. In our house, this means a feast of cabbage, corned beef, and Soda Bread. This recipe for Cheddar Irish Soda Bread is easy to make and pairs perfectly with any Irish meal!

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What is Irish Soda Bread?

Soda bread is a type of quick bread that uses baking soda and buttermilk to rise instead of yeast. This means it can be whipped up quickly for a meal using very simple pantry ingredients.

a slice of cheddar irish soda bread sits beside the full loaf

This recipe uses a dutch oven to bake the bread. Using a dutch oven for baking bread helps capture the steam while the bread bakes, creating a crispy crust, which is what you want for this Cheddar Irish Soda Bread recipe. Uncovering the bread near the end of the baking process allows the crust to brown while ensuring the inside stays light and fluffy.

a loaf of freshly baked soda bread in a dutch oven sits on a counter

Alternatively, you can bake this bread on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Simply shape the dough as the recipe states, then place on the baking sheet and bake until the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.

Cheddar Irish Soda bread sits on parchment paper on a wooden counter

What is the texture of Cheddar Irish Soda Bread?

The best way I can describe the texture of soda bread is somewhere between bread and a biscuit. It is slightly denser than a loaf of bread but fluffier than a biscuit. The flavour is also somewhere in the middle.

a hand removes a slice of cheddar soda bread from the loaf

This Cheddar Irish Soda Bread uses sharp cheddar cheese and parsley as flavourings, but soda bread has many variations, including a sweeter version made with raisins or currants.

How do I serve Irish Soda Bread?

Soda bread is made to accompany a meal of some sort, and to be a carrier of flavours. It works wonderfully with soups and stews, or smothered in butter as a side to cabbage and corned beef. Sweeter versions do well with butter and jam.

a piece of Cheddar Irish Soda bread is held up to show its fluffy texture

Items you may need:

Dutch Oven

Parchment Paper

How to make Cheddar Irish Soda Bread:

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Stir in grated sharp cheddar cheese and parsley.

dry ingredients for Irish soda bread in a white mixing bowl

Combine beaten egg, buttermilk, and cooled melted butter. Pour over dry ingredients. Using a wooden spoon, stir to combine until no more flour remains in the bottom of the bowl. Be careful not to overmix – the mixture should have a rougher texture.

whisking wet ingredients together in a small bowl for irish soda bread

a wooden spoon stirs the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients to make fluffy Irish soda bread

Place dough on a lightly floured surface and shape into a ball. Flatten slightly. Place ball of dough into a parchment-lined dutch oven. Score an x into the top of the dough, and brush with milk.

a ball of soda bread dough sits on a wooden cutting board

a hand slices an x into soda bread dough shaped into a ball in a dutch oven

Cover with lid and bake for 35 minutes. Remove lid and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and bread sounds hollow on the bottom when tapped. Remove from dutch oven and allow to cool.

spreading butter onto hot Cheddar Irish Soda bread

Other delicious recipes:

Cranberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake

The Best Banana Bread

Easy Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce

Sausage, White Bean, & Rapini Soup

If you make this recipe and love it, I would love it if you gave it 5 stars!

Cheddar Irish Soda Bread Recipe:

Print Recipe

Cheddar Irish Soda Bread

This delicious soda bread is speckled with cheddar cheese and parsley to give it a savory taste that goes perfectly with soups and stews.

Prep Time15

Cook Time55

Total Time1 10

Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: Irish

Keyword: bread, cheddar, quick bread, soda bread

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
½ tbsp sugar
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 tbsp dried parsley flakes
1½ cups buttermilk see notes
1 egg, slightly beaten
¼ cup plus 1 tbsp butter
2 tbsp milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F. Place a sheet of parchment paper inside a large dutch oven. Melt ¼ butter and set aside to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Stir in grated cheddar cheese and parsley.
Combine beaten egg, buttermilk, and cooled melted butter. Pour over dry ingredients. Using a wooden spoon, stir to combine until no more flour remains in the bottom of the bowl. Be careful not to overmix – the mixture should have a rougher texture.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface and gently shape into a ball. Flatten ball slightly. Place dough into a parchment-lined dutch oven. Score an x into the top of the dough and brush with milk.
Cover with lid and bake for 35 minutes. Remove lid and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and bread sounds hollow on the bottom when tapped. Brush with remaining 1 tbsp butter. Remove bread from dutch oven and allow to cool.

Notes

Buttermilk can be substituted with a blend of milk and vinegar. To do so, measure out 1 1/2 cups of milk. Remove 1 1/2 tbsp of the milk and replace with 1 1/2 tbsp white vinegar. Stir and set aside for 5 minutes.

Irish soda bread can be stored for up to 4 days in an airtight container. It may also be frozen for up to 3 months.

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