There’s something unbeatable about freshly baked soda bread, especially when it’s quick, comforting and packed with flavour. This cheese and onion soda bread, cooked with Lesley from The Great British Bake Off at Wellingtons, is exactly that.
We loved welcoming Lesley into the store to bake with us. She’s been a Wellingtons customer for years, just like her grandmother before her, so cooking together felt natural and genuinely special. This is the kind of recipe that’s been baked, shared and enjoyed in real kitchens for generations.
This soda bread is simple, affordable and incredibly satisfying. No yeast, no proving, and no complicated techniques. Just good ingredients, mixed and baked into two golden loaves that are perfect served warm with butter, soup or a chunk of cheese.
Why you’ll love this recipe
No yeast or proving time
Ready in around 30 minutes
Budget friendly ingredients
Makes two generous loaves
Perfect with soup or as a savoury snack
Ingredients
Makes two loaves
500g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
1½ teaspoons salt
75g butter, softened
20g baking powder
300ml buttermilk
1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
75g cheddar cheese, grated
Method
Preheat the oven to 220°C.
Line a baking tray.
Add all ingredients except the cheese and onion to a food mixer.
Using a paddle attachment, mix on a medium speed for around 2 minutes.
Add the grated cheese and chopped onion by hand, mixing gently. Do not overwork the dough.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into two equal portions.
Shape each portion into a ball, then flatten slightly to around 2 inches thick.
Cut a deep cross into the top of each loaf.
Bake for 30 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Serve warm with butter.
👉 You can find the full step-by-step recipe here: Read the full Cheese and Onion Soda Bread recipe
This is one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again. Simple, reliable and full of flavour.
We loved baking this with Lesley and hope it becomes a favourite in your kitchen too.






