Bread is a staple in many households, but it can often be time-consuming to make due to the proving process.
However, according to celebrity chef Paul Hollywood, there’s one type of bread that’s incredibly quick to prepare.
The Great British Bake Off judge has shared his recipe for Irish soda bread, which he claims is the ‘quickest ever’ to make, taking just 20 minutes to bake in the oven.
Despite its speedy preparation time, fans have hailed the bread as ‘divine’, with many regularly returning to this simple recipe.
Originally posted on YouTube two years ago, Hollywood recently reminded viewers on TikTok how easy this bread is to make.
The key to its quick preparation is the absence of yeast, which usually requires proving time to allow the dough to rise.
Instead, bicarbonate of soda and buttermilk are used to create a similar effect much faster.
Adding a delicious twist to the classic recipe, Paul includes cheese and onion in his soda bread, a move that fans on YouTube claim makes it the ‘best’ recipe ever.
Here’s everything you need to whip up this tasty bread in just 20 minutes, as reported by the Daily Record.
Cheese and onion soda bread
Ingredients
- 100g wholemeal flour
- 400g plain white flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 100g parmesan
- Half an onion, sauteed
- 150g grated cheddar
- 400ml buttermilk
Method
Preheat the oven to 220C or 200C fan. Put the two kinds of flour into a large bowl, then add the bicarbonate of soda, salt, and half of the parmesan cheese.
Add the sauteed onion and the grated cheddar and give it a good mix around.
Pour in the buttermilk and stir again before using your hands to blend the ingredients together.
Add a splash of water if you find the mixture is too dry.
Once the mixture resembles a rough-looking dough, tip it out on to your floured surface and start to shape it.
Divide it into two, rolling and flattening each one with your hand a couple of times before making a ball shape and tucking the edges under.
Wet your hands slightly and pat each piece of dough before placing it face-down in the remaining parmesan cheese.
Cut a cross shape down the middle of each loaf, pop on a baking tray and place in the oven for 20 minutes.
When the loaves look nicely baked and you’ve taken them out of the oven, allow to cool fully before you eat them – Paul suggests serving with more cheese and butter.
