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Cheese Bread Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 94 reviews
  • Author: Olivia
  • Total Time: 3 hours 55 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 servings) 1x

Description

This cheese bread recipe features a no-knead dough enriched with freshly shredded Colby cheese for a flavorful and tender loaf. The dough is simple to prepare with basic ingredients and relies on a long rise for texture. It is baked in a preheated Dutch oven to create a golden, crusty exterior and gooey cheesy interior, perfect for slicing and serving warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 3 cups bread flour
  • 2 tsp instant yeast
  • 1 1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 cups very warm tap water

Cheese Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups Colby cheese, freshly shredded

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, and kosher salt. Pour in the very warm tap water and mix until a sticky dough forms. This dough requires no kneading, relying on hydration and fermentation to develop gluten. Cover and let it rise for 2 to 3 hours at room temperature until doubled and bubbly.
  2. Preheat the pot: Place a heavy Dutch oven or oven-safe pot with a lid into the oven and preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) for at least 30 minutes. This ensures the pot is hot enough for baking the bread with a crisp crust.
  3. Shape the loaf and add cheese: Lightly flour your hands and work surface. Pat the risen dough into a rough disc shape. Spread most of the shredded Colby cheese on top of the dough disc, then fold the dough over the cheese to encase it completely, creating a cheese-stuffed interior. Transfer the shaped loaf onto a sheet of parchment paper for easy handling.
  4. Top with reserved cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded Colby cheese over the top of the dough to form a cheesy crown that will bake into a flavorful crust topping.
  5. Bake the bread: Carefully remove the preheated Dutch oven from the oven. Lift the parchment paper with the dough and place it into the hot pot. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes to develop a deep golden crust and melt the cheese topping fully.
  6. Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Let cool completely before slicing to allow the crumb to set and prevent the cheese from oozing excessively. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Use very warm water but not boiling to activate the yeast effectively without killing it.
  • Freshly shredding the Colby cheese ensures better melt and flavor integration.
  • The hot Dutch oven replicates steam baking for a crusty loaf.
  • Letting the bread cool before slicing improves texture and prevents cheese from running out.
  • This bread can be served as a snack, side for soups, or base for sandwiches.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: cheese bread, no-knead bread, Colby cheese bread, homemade bread, easy bread recipe, artisan bread, Dutch oven bread

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Find it online: https://bitesbyolivia.com/cheese-bread-recipe/