Cheese Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your favorite cheese)
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried herbs (optional, such as oregano or thyme)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. These ingredients form the base of your bread and help it rise.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer or a wooden spoon to cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step helps to incorporate air into the dough, making your bread lighter.
- Add Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in the milk gradually. The mixture might look a bit curdled, but that’s okay; it will come together once you add the flour.
- Combine Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are fine. Overmixing can lead to dense bread.
- Fold in Cheese and Optional Ingredients:
- Gently fold in the shredded cheese. If you’re using garlic powder or dried herbs, add them now to enhance the flavor. Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. The cheese will create delicious pockets of gooey goodness throughout the bread.
- Pour Batter into Pan:
- Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula to ensure even baking.
- Bake:
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the bread starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
- Cool and Serve:
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This step helps prevent the bread from becoming soggy.
- Enjoy:
- Slice the bread once it has cooled. It’s delicious served warm, perhaps with a pat of butter or alongside a bowl of soup. It also makes fantastic sandwiches or can be toasted for an extra crispy treat.
Tips:
- Cheese Variety: Experiment with different cheeses like Gruyère for a nutty flavor or pepper jack for a spicy kick.
- Add-Ins: Consider adding cooked bacon bits, jalapeños, or chopped herbs to customize the flavor to your liking.
- Storage: Store leftover cheese bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 2 months. Reheat slices in a toaster or oven to restore some of the original texture.
This cheese bread recipe is a perfect blend of simplicity and flavor, making it a great addition to any meal or a tasty snack on its own. Enjoy!
