Quick and Easy Cheese Bread

Prepare to relish the comforting goodness of homemade bread with our Quick and Easy Cheese Bread recipe! Say goodbye to long hours spent kneading dough and waiting for it to rise. This recipe guarantees exceptional results every time, delivering the satisfaction of freshly baked bread in a fraction of the time. It’s not your average loaf; this incredibly easy-to-make bread infuses mozzarella cheese, dried seasonings, and fresh herbs.

Imagine yourself slicing into a warm, crusty loaf, revealing a soft, fluffy interior bursting with cheesy goodness, filling your kitchen with the enticing aroma of cheese biscuits and herbs. Whether you serve it warm with hot soup, slice it for Mushroom and White Beans on Toast, or pair it with your favourite avocado on toast, this bread promises pure comfort and indulgence.

In this post, we’re not just sharing a recipe. We’re inviting you to discover the magic of homemade bread that rivals the finest offerings from your local bakery. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned baker, this recipe is designed to tantalise your taste buds and impress your guests. So, get ready to unleash your inner artisan baker as we embark on a cheesy adventure that will have you hooked from the very first bite!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe:

1. Quick and Easy to Make: This recipe is a breeze to whip up, saving you time and effort in the kitchen.
2. Stays Fresh for Days: With plenty of buttermilk to keep the dough moist, your leftover bread will remain soft for days after baking.
3. Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy it warm with your favourite soup, toasted for breakfast, or paired with a salad for a quick lunch.
4. Great for Beginners: If you’re new to baking, fear not! This recipe is forgiving and easy to follow, making it ideal for novice bakers.

Ingredients Used to Make Quick and Easy Cheese Bread:

• All-Purpose Flour: This provides the best structure and strength to the bread.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These are both leavening agents that help the bread rise as it bakes.
• Yeast: It adds a subtle bread flavour.
• Butter: Adds flavour and moisture.
• Eggs: Provide strength to the bread, preventing it from crumbling, and add moisture.
• Buttermilk: Its acidity tenderises the bread, resulting in a soft, fluffy texture. Kefir can also be used as a substitute for buttermilk in baking.
• Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and herbs all complement the savoury flavours of the bread.
• Cheese: Grated mozzarella cheese melts into the bread, adding moisture and richness. Cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack are also good options.

Instructions to Make Quick and Easy Cheese Bread:

• Preheat the oven to 175ºC and place a rack in the centre of the oven. Lightly butter the loaf pan, ensuring to cover the bottom and sides.

Note: For non-stick pans, no preparation is required. For other types, use parchment paper, non-stick spray, or butter and flour to prepare the pan.

• Lightly beat the eggs in a small mixing bowl and set aside.
• In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pepper, yeast, thyme, and Italian seasoning until well mixed.

Note : Salt and yeast should not be placed next to each other in your ingredients because salt can deactivate yeast if they come into direct contact. This can hinder the yeast’s ability to ferment the dough properly, resulting in less rise and a denser texture in your baked goods. To ensure optimal yeast activity and a well-risen loaf, it’s best to keep them separated until they are thoroughly mixed with other ingredients in the dough.

• Add the grated mozzarella cheese, grated Monterey Jack cheese, melted butter, beaten eggs, buttermilk, and lemon zest to the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to mix everything together until well combined into a thick, sticky, shaggy batter, ensuring there are no dry patches.

• Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake the bread for approximately 45 minutes, or until it turns golden brown on top and a sharp knife or cake tester inserted in the centre comes out clean.
• Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a cooling rack. Let it cool for about 30-40 minutes before slicing if serving warm, or allow it to cool completely to room temperature.
• Once cooled, store the bread in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Helpful Tips and Tricks to Make the Best Quick and Easy Cheese Bread

• Keep in mind that when swapping different cheeses, some are saltier than others. While 1 to ½ cups of mozzarella or cheddar cheese won’t add too much extra salt, using the same amount of Parmesan cheese might make the bread too salty.
• When using dried herbs or fresh herbs, remember that the flavour of dried herbs is more intense. Use about ¼ to ⅓ the amount of dried herbs as you would if using fresh herbs (for example, 1 teaspoon dried vs 1 tablespoon fresh).
• To keep your bread soft and fresh for 3-5 days, store it in an airtight container or freezer bag at room temperature. Alternatively, wrap it well and freeze it for up to 3-6 months for later use.
• Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best results. Fresh flour, eggs, and freshly grated cheese can make a significant difference in the taste and texture of your bread.
• Experiment with different shapes and sizes. While loaf pans are commonly used, you can also bake the bread on a baking sheet for a more rustic look, or even in muffin tins for individual servings.
• Don’t overmix the batter. Mix the ingredients just until combined to avoid developing too much gluten, which can result in a tough texture.

What if I have a slightly smaller loaf pan?

• As a rule of thumb, if the batter fills the pan 2/3 full, the loaf pan is at its limit. If you still have extra batter, don’t over-fill the pan. Instead, bake the excess batter in a muffin pan, filling the empty tins with a few tablespoons of water to keep the pan from warping.

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Quick and Easy Cheese Bread

Serves: 1 Loaf Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 45 Minutes 45 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 3 voted )

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Ingredients

• 360 grams all-purpose flour
• 1.5 tsp (6g) baking powder
• ¼ tsp (2g) baking soda
• 1 tsp dry active yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp dry Italian herbs 
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 280 ml buttermilk
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Equipment Used 

• 1  bread loaf pan ((8.5 x 4.5 x 2.75 inches)

method

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C and position a rack in the centre. If using a 1-pound bread loaf pan, lightly butter the bottom and sides. For non-stick pans, no additional greasing is needed. Otherwise, line the pan with parchment paper or grease with non-stick baking spray or butter and flour.
2. In a small bowl crack the eggs and lightly beat them.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pepper, yeast, thyme, and Italian seasoning until well combined.
4. Add the grated mozzarella cheese, grated Monterey Jack,  melted butter, beaten eggs, buttermilk and lemon zest. Stir with a spatula until just combined into a thick, sticky batter.
5. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for about 45 minutes until golden brown on top and a knife or cake tester inserted in the centre comes out clean.
6. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Cool for 30-40 minutes before slicing if serving warm, or allow to cool to room temperature.
7. Once cooled, store the bread in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you did, take a picture and tag me on Instagram at @poetryofspices!