- 1 cup buttermilk powder (SEO: buttermilk powder) or regular milk mixed with vinegar
- 2 tsp baking soda (SEO: baking soda)
- 1/4 tsp salt (SEO: salt)
- 1 large egg, beaten (SEO: beaten egg)
- 6 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese (SEO: sharp cheddar cheese) or any preferred cheese variety
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary (SEO: rosemary) or other herbs of your choice for flavoring
- Optional: 2 tsp caraway seeds (SEO: caraway seeds) for added texture and taste
Make sure to include these keywords in your content for better search engine optimization (SEO). Enjoy crafting your delicious Irish soda bread with cheese!
Steps
### Basic Irish Soda Bread with Cheese Recipe
#### Ingredients:
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 3/4 cup (175ml) buttermilk
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 oz (56g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
#### Keywords:
- Irish soda bread recipe
- traditional bread recipes
- easy bread making
- buttermilk ingredients
- baking techniques
#### Step-by-Step Guide:
1. **Preheat the Oven**
Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Make sure it's fully heated before you begin mixing.
2. **Mix Dry Ingredients**
In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Mix well until evenly distributed.
3. **Add Buttermilk**
Gradually add buttermilk to the dry ingredients while stirring. The mixture should form a shaggy dough; if it's too wet, add more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
4. **Shape the Dough**
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 3-5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. **Create a Well**
Make a well in the center of the dough, breaking off a small piece to place near the well. This will help distribute the cheese.
6. **Add Cheese**
Add the softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese into the well. Mix gently until the cheese is evenly distributed throughout the dough but be careful not to overmix.
7. **Shape the Bread**
Use your hands or a rolling pin to shape the dough into a round loaf about 3 inches thick. Place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. **Score the Top**
Score a cross on top of the bread using a sharp knife or bread lame (a traditional bread scoring tool). This not only looks nice but also helps the bread rise evenly during baking.
9. **Bake the Bread**
Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for about 40-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
10. **Cool and Serve**
Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy your delicious Irish soda bread with cheese!
#### Tips:
- Use buttermilk for its tangy flavor and ability to tenderize the dough.
- For an extra-rich taste, you can substitute some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
This recipe combines traditional Irish baking techniques with a simple twist of creamy cheese. It’s perfect for any occasion or as a comforting staple in your kitchen!