THE Cheese Bread

This is the one, guys.  If you want something special to complete a meal, this is it.  If you want toast that will make you want to slap yo momma, just trust me–make THE Cheese bread.  If you are like my husband and consider carbs and cheese your two main food groups, you’re gonna love me…

Like anything else, just try it a few times and you’ll get the hang of it.  The key is starting with a good recipe.

Begin by dissolving 1 pkg. yeast (or 2 1/2 tsp.) in 1/4 c. warm water.

If you want to be specific and measure the temperature, it should be 110 degrees.  After having made bread an awful lot, I use my wrist just like checking water for a baby bottle.  I want it a little warmer than body temp.  But not hot.  Too hot will kill the yeast.  Too cold will not allow activation.  Your best bet is to use a kitchen thermometer to get used to the feel of it for next time.

So, stir the yeast into the warm water and let it sit for a few minutes until it has dissolved.

The extra cup of flour should be added a little at a time just until the dough pulls away cleanly from the mixing bowl.  I only used 1/4 c. this time making my flour total 5 1/4 cups.
If you’re kneading by hand, add extra flour a little at a time until it feels like the dough doesn’t want to accept anymore, and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Once your dough has double in size, punch it down (this means push all of the air out of it) and add in the cheeses.  Smush all of the cheese into the dough the best that you can, and then separate the dough into two equal pieces.  Shape them into loaves tucking the ends under and making the tops as smooth as you can and set them into the buttered loaf pans.  Let them rise until doubled, or a couple inches above the loaf pan.  They are not huge loaves so this is about the size you’re going for.

And the toast the next day…I’m telling you, it’s the stuff legends are made of.  You can thank me later.  I won’t mind a bit.

THE Cheese Bread

 

Print

Prep time

2 hours

Cook time

30 mins

Total time

2 hours 30 mins

 

Soft white bread studded with three goozing cheeses. This will make the most amazing bread you've ever eaten fresh, toasted, or used for sandwiches.

Alison: That Which Nourishes

Recipe type: Bread

Cuisine: American

Serves: 2 loaves

Grocery List

• ¼ c. water
• 1 pkg. or 2½ tsp. yeast
• ¾ whole milk
• 1 c. water
• 5-6 cups unbleached flour (I use about 5¼)
• 1 T. salt (I use kosher)
• 2 T. sugar
• ¾ each of sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese (or all Cheddar)
• ¼ c. shredded fresh Parmesan

Here's how...

1. Dissolve yeast into warm water (110 to 115 degrees). Let it sit for a few minutes to dissolve and get foamy.
2. In a small saucepan, warm milk and 1 c. water just to warm. Don't let it get hot or it will kill the yeast.
3. In a separate bowl, add flour, salt, and sugar and mix well.
4. Pour the yeast mixture in and add the warm milk and water as well. Let the mixer (dough hook) knead for 4-5 minutes or knead by hand on a floured surface for 8 minutes or until the dough is smooth adding a bit more flour as needed to get a smooth, elastic dough.
5. Set the ball of dough into a buttered bowl and turn it to butter all sides. Set it in a warm place to let it rise until doubled in size, at last an hour and a half.
6. Butter two loaf pans and shred the cheeses to equal 1½ cups plus ¼ c. Parmesan.
7. Smush all the cheeses into the dough the best you can.
8. Punch the dough down and separate into two equal-sized pieces. Shape them into loaves, tucking the ends under and place them into the buttered loaf pans.
9. Let them rise again until doubled.
10. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
11. Let cool for ten minutes and then remove from pans to let them cool on a wire rack.

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