Herb & Cheddar Cheese Bread

🧀🌿 Herb & Cheddar Cheese Bread

⏱ Time

• Prep: 15 minutes
• Rise: 1½–2 hours
• Bake: 35–40 minutes

🍞 Makes

1 loaf

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🧾 Ingredients

Dough

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp sugar (helps yeast; won’t taste sweet)
• 2¼ tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp dried thyme or rosemary
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
• 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Optional Topping

• 2 tbsp melted butter
• Extra cheddar + herbs

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🥣 Instructions

1️⃣ Make the Dough

1. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, yeast, salt, garlic powder, and herbs.
2. Add warm milk and oil.
3. Mix until a soft dough forms.

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2️⃣ Knead & Add Cheese

1. Knead dough 8–10 minutes (or 5 minutes in a stand mixer).
2. Gently knead in the cheddar until evenly distributed.

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3️⃣ First Rise

• Place dough in an oiled bowl.
• Cover and let rise 1–1½ hours, until doubled.

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4️⃣ Shape & Second Rise

1. Shape into a loaf and place in a greased loaf pan.
2. Cover and rise 30–45 minutes.

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5️⃣ Bake

1. Preheat oven to 375°F / 190°C.
2. Brush top with melted butter.
3. Sprinkle with extra cheese and herbs (optional).
4. Bake 35–40 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding.

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6️⃣ Cool

• Cool 15 minutes before slicing (hardest part!).

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🔥 Tips for Best Results

• Use sharp cheddar for stronger flavor
• Fresh herbs work too (double the amount)
• For extra cheese pockets, cube cheese instead of shredding

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🥪 Variations

• Jalapeño Cheddar: Add diced jalapeños
• Garlic Butter Loaf: Brush with garlic butter after baking
• No-Yeast Quick Bread: Want this version? Just ask!