Irresistible Loaded Bacon Cheddar Irish Soda Bread
A quick and easy Irish soda bread recipe loaded with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any cozy occasion. This savory bread combines traditional flavors with a delicious twist, ready in about an hour without yeast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ¾ cups (420ml) buttermilk, preferably full-fat
- 8 strips bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
- 1 ½ cups (170g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place your cast iron skillet or baking sheet inside to warm up while you prepare the dough.
- Cook the bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and brown sugar until evenly combined.
- Toss in the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped bacon. Stir to distribute evenly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk with melted butter.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, gently mix until just combined; the dough should be sticky but hold together. Avoid overmixing.
- Lightly flour your hands and work surface. Turn the dough out and shape it into a round loaf about 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter. Transfer to a piece of parchment paper.
- Using a sharp knife, cut a deep ‘X’ about ½ inch (1.3 cm) deep across the top of the loaf.
- Transfer the parchment paper with the loaf onto your preheated skillet or baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Let cool at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Do not overmix the dough to avoid toughness. Use cold buttermilk for better rise. Cook bacon until crispy for best texture. Score the loaf deeply to help it expand evenly. Preheat baking surface for a better crust. Tent with foil if crust browns too quickly. Let bread cool before slicing to set crumb.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of l
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Protein: 8
Keywords: Irish soda bread, bacon cheddar bread, St. Patrick's Day bread, savory soda bread, quick bread, loaded soda bread