Savory Herbed Cheddar Bread (Printable Version)

Rustic quick bread featuring sharp cheddar and herbs, perfect for soups, stews, or snacks.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Cheese & Herbs

05 - 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme

→ Wet Ingredients

09 - 1 ½ cups cold buttermilk
10 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
11 - 1 large egg, lightly beaten

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until well blended.
03 - Stir in the grated cheddar, chives, parsley, and thyme until evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter, and egg until combined.
05 - Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix just until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
06 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead 4–5 times to bring it together, then shape into a round loaf about 7 inches in diameter.
07 - Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. With a sharp knife, cut a deep X across the top. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the crust is deeply golden and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
08 - Cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing to allow the crumb to set.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cheese creates these incredible gooey pockets throughout while the crust stays perfectly crisp and golden
  • It comes together in minutes but tastes like something that took all day to make
  • The herbs make every single bite interesting and aromatic
02 -
  • Overmixing is the enemy here, work the dough just enough to bring it together and stop
  • The X on top is not just for looks, it helps the bread bake evenly in the center
  • This bread is best enjoyed the day it is made but toasts up beautifully the next day
03 -
  • Keep your buttermilk ice cold because this helps create a lighter, more tender texture
  • If you do not have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes

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