Savory Cheddar Chive Irish (Printable)

Rustic Irish loaf with sharp cheddar and fresh chives, offering a tender crumb and golden crust.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp baking soda
03 - 1 tsp fine sea salt
04 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Cheese & Herbs

05 - 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
06 - 1/3 cup fresh chives, finely chopped

→ Wet Ingredients

07 - 1 3/4 cups buttermilk, plus extra as needed
08 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and black pepper until well blended.
03 - Stir in the grated cheddar and chopped chives until evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
04 - Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the buttermilk and melted butter. Mix with a wooden spoon or hands until a shaggy dough forms. Add additional buttermilk 1 tablespoon at a time if mixture is too dry.
05 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead just until it comes together, taking care not to overwork. Shape into a round loaf approximately 7 inches in diameter.
06 - Transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut a deep X across the top of the loaf.
07 - Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until deeply golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
08 - Let cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The cheese creates these incredible pockets of meltiness throughout the crumb
  • From ingredients to warm bread in under an hour, making it perfect for last-minute dinner emergencies
  • The subtle onion flavor from chives makes it feel fancy enough for guests
02 -
  • Overworking the dough makes it tough, so mix only until it just comes together
  • The X on top is not just decorative, it helps the bread bake evenly in the center
03 -
  • Buttermilk thickness varies, so trust your hands more than the exact measurement
  • Let the bread cool completely before wrapping or the crust will soften

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