Onion & Cheese Soda Bread Buns

Fry the onion and garlic together until golden and softened. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside to cool completely.

Once cooled, finely chop the fried onion and add it to a bowl with the grated cheddar, the soft flesh from the roasted garlic clove, and 1 tbsp of flour. Mix well to combine, then set aside.

Preheat your oven to 200°C / 180°C fan / 400°F / Gas Mark 6.

In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Make a well in the centre and pour in the buttermilk.

Mix with a wooden spoon until the dough begins to come together and no dry flour remains. Add the onion and cheese mixture, then gently work it through the dough until evenly distributed.

Continue working the dough by hand for 2–3 minutes, taking care not to overwork it.

Turn the sticky dough out onto a well-floured surface. Lightly dust the top with flour and gently shape the dough into a thick, even log.

Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 2–3 cm-thick slices. Arrange the slices on a lined baking tray and score a deep X across the top of each bun. Lightly dust with flour.

Bake immediately in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown with a beautifully crisp crust. They should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.