Savory Herbed Cheddar Bread (Printable)
Rustic bread infused with sharp cheddar and fresh herbs, perfect for hearty meals or snacks.
# What You 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 cooled
11 - 1 large egg, lightly beaten
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease the surface.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly blended.
03 - Add grated cheddar, chives, parsley, and thyme to the flour mixture. Stir until evenly distributed throughout.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together cold buttermilk, melted butter, and beaten egg until uniform.
05 - Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture. Mix with wooden spoon or hands just until 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 round loaf approximately 7 inches in diameter.
07 - Place loaf on prepared baking sheet. Cut deep X across top with sharp knife to allow proper expansion during baking.
08 - Bake for 35-40 minutes until crust achieves deep golden color and skewer inserted into center emerges clean.
09 - Transfer to wire rack and cool for minimum 20 minutes before slicing to ensure proper texture development.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of sharp cheddar and fresh herbs creates this incredible savory depth that feels indulgent despite the simple preparation
- From start to finish, this bread comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for last minute additions to weeknight meals
02 -
- Cold buttermilk is nonnegotiable here as it keeps the butter from melting too quickly and creating a greasy texture
- That deep X cut does more than look pretty, it helps the heat penetrate the center and allows the bread to expand properly while baking
03 -
- If you do not have buttermilk, measure 1 and ½ cups of regular milk and add 1 and ½ tablespoons of white vinegar, then let it sit for 5 minutes
- For extra savory depth, try adding a half teaspoon of garlic powder to the dry ingredients