This soda bread is not exactly Irish, but the addition of onions and cheese makes it a really tasty treat! It’s still made without yeast (so no rising time!) and comes together in one bowl. It will go perfectly with whatever you are planning for St. Patrick’s Day dinner—or really, any soup or stew, any night of the year!

Onion and Cheese Soda Bread

Ingredients

• 1 cup buttermilk (plus about a teaspoon for the top)
• 1 egg
• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 T cold butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup diced green onion, plus extra for topping
• 1 cup shredded cheese (I like gouda or a very sharp cheddar), plus extra for topping

Instructions

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet.

In a small bowl, lightly beat buttermilk and egg; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the butter, either with a pastry cutter or two knives, until mixture is combined and crumbly. Lightly fold in the onions and cheese.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the milk/egg all at once; combine. It should come together as a ball of dough; if it’s too dry, add more milk (a splash at a time), if it’s too wet, you can add a tablespoon of flour at a time.

Spoon the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for no more than one minute, just enough to get the dough into a nice round shape. It will not be a smooth dough and should look a little shaggy.

Plop the dough onto the prepared pan. Score the top with a sharp knife in an “x” pattern. Brush with a little buttermilk and top with pieces of green onion and cheese.

Bake for 45-50 minutes, checking from about 30 minutes on for excessive browning (cover lightly with foil if necessary). The loaf should sound hollow when you knock on it.

Let cool on the pan for 10 minutes and then remove to a cooling rack.

Serve warm or at room temperature. This bread is best when eaten the same day, but if you have leftovers, be sure to wrap them tightly.

Makes one loaf.

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Happy baking!

Looking for other quick bread recipes? Try Cranberry Orange Bread, Vegan Cornbread, or Chocolate Zucchini Muffins!