Soda bread is a bread that is made without yeast, therefore it requires no kneading or proving. Instead the bread rises from the reaction between bicarbonate of soda and buttermilk. I've added extra flavour to create this Cheese & Caramelised Onion Soda Bread recipe which is so easy to make! If you want homemade bread but you're worried about the bread not rising, or you're just short on time, then soda bread is the ideal solution. It's so quick to make and this version is flavoured with delicious tangy and sweet caramelised onion and salty cheese, perfectly for slathering in butter!

How to make Cheese & Caramelised Onion Soda Bread

Start by cooking the onion in olive oil. When it is soft, add balsamic vinegar and soft light brown sugar. Let it simmer for around 15 minutes, then set aside to cool.

In a mixing bowl, sieve plain flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt, and stir together. Then mix the cheese and onion into the flour.

Next, add the buttermilk to the flour and bring it together to make a dough. Shape it into a ball and cut a deep cross down the middle, then top it with some extra cheese. Bake it for 35 minutes until golden, risen and smells amazing!

What is the best cheese to use?

The best cheese to use for this recipe is cheddar. I like to use a mature cheddar for a good strong flavour. Any hard cheese you can grate, and that melts well, can also be used.

What if you don't have any buttermilk?

You can make an easy buttermilk alternative at home using milk and either lemon juice or cider vinegar. To make the homemade buttermilk, measure out the same amount of milk as the recipe requires of buttermilk. Then add either 1 tablespoon (a proper measuring spoon, not the kind you eat cereal with) of either fresh lemon juice or cider vinegar to the milk. You can also use white vinegar, but avoid malt vinegar or balsamic vinegar. Stir them together then set aside for 5 minutes. You will notice the milk turns very lumpy - and it's ready to use!

What can you serve with soda bread?

Any kind of soup, it's great for dunking!
It's great to mop up gravy from a stew
It's great at a picnic or a buffet
Make it into a sandwich
Enjoy it with cheese and chutney
Simply slathered with butter

How long does soda bread last for and can it be frozen?

Soda bread is best eaten on the day it's made, and at a push the day after. It goes stale much faster than regular bread, so once it is fully cool, store it in an airtight container. If it has gone stale, you can still eat it, but you may like to warm it up slightly in the oven for 5 minutes or pop a slice in the toaster.

You can also freeze soda bread, either in an airtight container or wrapped well with cling film. Freeze for up to 3 months. For ease, you can slice it up first, then defrost a few slices at a time. Again, you may like to toast it after defrosting it, or warm it back up in the oven before serving.

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