There is one thing that I absolutely MUST make every year towards the end of February and the beginning of March, and that is Soda Bread. Again, it’s a nod to my Irish roots. Irish soda bread is a yeast-free bread that is quick and super easy to make. Really, guys… it’s almost fool-proof. Almost. Trust me, I know because baking tends to scare the pants off of me.
I used my original Healthified Irish Soda Bread as a base for this Bacon & Cheddar variation. This time around I used whole wheat flour to get a more golden color at the end, and of course… loaded this bad boy up with plenty of cheese and bacon goodness.
Not only is it easy to make, and requires just a few staple pantry ingredients, but soda bread is pretty versatile too. This bacon and cheese one is great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. So far I made a little breakfast soda bread sandwich with it. But, I’m also planning on pairing it with a stew in the coming days.
Soda bread is a dense bread. So it’s perfect for soaking up soups and stews. Otherwise, this would make for a nice brunch if paired with a bacon or tomato jam!
This does make a nice sized FULL loaf of bread, so you’ll want to be ready with ideas on how to use it up.
Oh! And did I mention that this bread is oil-free and egg-free too? Yep. Like I said, just a few pantry staples and you’re good to go with this one.
TheSkinnyFork.com A traditional Irish soda bread that is loaded up with bacon and cheddar for a fun little twist. Perfect for soaking up soups and stews! Prep Time: 10 Minutes • Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 Slices • Calories: 275 • Fat: 9 g • Saturated Fat: 4 g • Carb: 38 g • Fiber: 3 g • Protein: 10 g • Sugar: 4 g • Sodium: 451 mg
• 1 1/2 C. All-Purpose Flour
• 1 1/2 C. Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 1/2 Tsp. Baking Soda
• 4 Tsp. Sugar
• 1 Tsp. Salt
• 1 1/4 C. Reduced Fat Buttermilk
• 1/2 C. Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 4 Slices Reduced Sodium Center Cut Bacon, Chopped
• 1 Tbsp. Dried Chopped Chives Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet, or line it with parchment paper.
Whisk together the 1 1/2 C. flour, 1 1/2 C. whole wheat flour, 1 1/2 Tsp. baking soda, 4 Tsp. sugar and 1 Tsp. salt in a large bowl.
Pour 1 1/4 C. buttermilk, 1/2 C. cheddar, 4 slices of bacon, and 1 Tbsp. chives in and stir until well combined and there is no more visible flour.
Shape the dough into a ball and place on the baking sheet.
Flatten out into a circle about 2 inches thick.
Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet and using a sharp knife, cut 2-3 slashes across the top of the loaf in an 'X' shape.
Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven to turn the pan around for even baking, also give a good 2-3 second spray of cooking spray over the top of the loaf and place back into the oven for another 15 minutes or so until a toothpick tester comes out clean.
Cool completely before slicing.
Step-by-Step Photos:
Nutritional Claims: Balanced • Kidney Friendly • Egg Free • Peanut Free • Tree Nut Free • Soy Free • Fish Free • Shellfish Free • Crustacean Free • Celery Free • Mustard Free • Sesame Free • Lupine Free • Mollusk Free • Alcohol Free • No Oil Added
