Andy Montoya
There are many ways to put cheese in bread, and it is a simple process. You can add cheese to an existing bread recipe or make a cheese bread loaf. The type of cheese you use is up to you, but harder cheeses such as cheddar, gouda, or parmesan are recommended. You can add cheese to the dough, or add it as a topping to a loaf. If you are making a loaf, you will need yeast, flour, salt, water, and cheese. You can also add milk, butter, or olive oil to your dough. If you are adding cheese to the dough, you can grate it, shred it, or cut it into cubes. If you are adding cheese as a topping, you can sprinkle it on top of the loaf before baking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dough preparation | Combine flour, salt, yeast, water, and olive oil in a large mixing bowl until a thick dough forms. |
| Gently stir in the cheese. | |
| Let the dough rest for 12-18 hours at room temperature. Overnight is ideal. | |
| Dough shaping | Roll out the dough into a rectangle. |
| Sprinkle cheese over the dough, reserving some for topping. | |
| Tightly roll the dough into a log. | |
| Baking preparation | Preheat the oven to 350°F-450°F. |
| Place the dough in a pan or a Dutch oven. | |
| Baking | Bake covered for 30-35 minutes. |
| Remove the cover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the surface is golden brown. | |
| Cooling | Transfer the bread to a cooling rack and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. |
| Variations | Cheddar, Parmesan, pepper jack, Gouda, Colby, Gruyere, and vegan cheese can be used. |
| Add-ins like sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, olives, herbs, or meat can also be included. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheese
Consider the flavour profile you want to achieve. Different cheeses have distinct flavours that can enhance the taste of your bread. For example, cheddar cheese is a popular choice for bread due to its sharp flavour and melting properties. Other options include pepper jack, gouda, colby, parmesan, asiago, provolone, gruyere, mozzarella, blue cheese, and gouda. Each of these cheeses will contribute a unique flavour to your bread.
Think about the texture you want in your bread. Harder cheeses like cheddar, pepper jack, gouda, or colby are recommended for a crustier and chewier bread. These cheeses have a lower fat content, resulting in a lean dough. Softer, richer breads, on the other hand, call for cheeses with higher fat content. Avoid very soft cheeses, as they may affect the structure of your dough.
Take into account the salt content of the cheese. If your cheese is salty, such as parmesan or feta, you may need to reduce the amount of salt in your bread recipe to avoid an overly salty loaf.
Personal preference and creativity also play a role in choosing the right cheese. Feel free to experiment with different combinations of cheese and add-ins. You can include herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, or olives along with your chosen cheese to create a unique flavour profile. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to selecting cheese for bread, and you have the freedom to customise it to your taste.
Lastly, when selecting a cheese, consider its availability and cost. Some cheeses can be expensive, but you can often find less costly alternatives that will yield comparable results. For example, Jarlsberg is a less expensive alternative to pedigreed cheeses with nuanced flavours.
By following these guidelines and trusting your instincts, you can choose the perfect cheese to elevate your bread-making experience.
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Preparing the dough
To start, combine the flour, salt, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the water and olive oil until a thick, chunky dough forms. If the dough seems too dry, add a few more tablespoons of water. The type of flour you use will affect the texture of your bread. Bread flour is best as it has more protein, which means more gluten, resulting in a dough that is more elastic. This will give your bread a fluffy yet chewy texture. However, plain or all-purpose flour will also work.
Once you have a dough, gently stir in the cheese. You can use any variety of cheese you like, but harder cheeses such as cheddar, pepper jack, gouda, or Colby are recommended. Shred the cheese yourself with a grater for the best taste and texture. Avoid very soft cheeses. If you are using fresh garlic, add one finely minced clove to the dough.
After the dough is mixed, let it rest, covered, for 12-18 hours at room temperature. Overnight is ideal. You can also let the dough rise in a warm place, such as next to a heater, to help it rise. Aim for the dough to double in size. If it rises too much or not enough, the bread will not rise properly in the oven and may collapse.
Once the dough has risen, you can begin assembling the cheese bread. Roll out the dough into a rectangle, sprinkle cheese on top, and roll it into a log. You can also add other ingredients such as herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, or olives at this stage.
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Adding cheese to the dough
Adding cheese to bread dough is a simple and effective way to elevate your homemade bread. The type of cheese you choose to add is entirely up to you, but harder cheeses such as cheddar, pepper jack, gouda, colby, provolone, gruyere, and parmesan are recommended. You can also add herbs like rosemary, garlic, and even sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, or olives for extra flavour.
When it comes to the dough, you can use a basic bread recipe with flour, salt, yeast, and water. Bread flour is recommended as it has more protein, resulting in a higher gluten formation and a better rise. However, plain/all-purpose flour will also work. If you want to add milk or buttermilk, you may need to adjust the other liquids in your recipe. The amount of fat in the cheese and other dairy products you add may also affect the proportions of your dough, so consider reducing or leaving out other fats like oil or butter.
To incorporate the cheese, make your dough as usual and let it rise. Then, stretch the dough into a rectangle and sprinkle cheese all over the top. You can also add other fillings at this stage. Tightly roll the dough into a log, then place it into a greased loaf pan, seam-side down, and let it rise again.
If you want to add cheese to the outside of your bread, set aside some of the cheese to use as a topping. You can also brush the top of the unbaked bread with garlic herb butter for extra flavour.
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Baking the bread
The baking process will vary depending on the type of bread you are making. For example, the baking process for a loaf of bread will differ from that of a flatbread or a bread roll. However, there are some general tips and techniques that can be applied to most types of cheese bread.
Firstly, it is important to ensure that your dough has been kneaded and left to rise adequately before baking. This will ensure that your bread has a good structure and texture. Place the dough in a greased loaf pan and allow it to rise until it reaches about 1 inch above the sides of the pan.
Preheat your oven to the appropriate temperature for your recipe. The ideal temperature will depend on the type of bread you are baking and the type of cheese you are using. For a softer and richer bread, a lower temperature of around 220°C to 240°C (200°C fan-forced) is recommended. For a crustier and chewier bread, a higher temperature of around 350°F to 450°F is suggested.
When baking your cheese bread, it is important to consider the type of cheese you are using and its melting point. Softer cheeses, such as mozzarella, will melt more quickly and easily than harder cheeses, such as cheddar or parmesan. You may need to adjust your baking time and temperature accordingly to ensure that the cheese melts properly without burning.
If you are baking a loaf of bread, it is recommended to bake it for 45-50 minutes. However, after 25 minutes of baking, you should rotate the pan and loosely cover it with aluminium foil to prevent the top from over-browning. For a bread with a more golden and crispy exterior, you may need to bake it for an additional 10-15 minutes without the foil.
For a bread with a cheese topping, such as a flatbread or a bread roll, the baking process may be shorter. Spread the cheese mixture over the bread before baking, and bake for around 30 minutes, covered with a lid or foil. Remove the cover for the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to melt and brown.
Finally, allow your cheese bread to cool slightly before slicing and serving. Resting the bread is crucial, as it allows the inside to finish cooking and drying. If you cut the bread too soon, it may appear raw or smear like uncooked dough. Aim to let it rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
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Serving the bread
Once your cheese bread is ready, let it sit for at least 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. Resting is important as it allows the inside of the bread to finish cooking and dry out. If you cut the bread too early, the inside will smear and look like uncooked dough.
You can serve the bread as it is, or with toppings. If you want to add toppings, slice the loaf of bread in half horizontally and lay it crust-side down on a foil-lined baking sheet. You can spread a cheese mixture, such as a combination of butter, garlic, cheese, green onion, mayonnaise, and sour cream, over the bread and broil it. You can also add other ingredients to the topping mixture, such as chopped black olives, chopped canned artichoke hearts, minced shrimp, or crab meat.
If you want to make smaller appetizer bites, you can cut the bread crosswise after it has been sliced. However, be warned that these bites are addictive!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need yeast, flour, salt, water, and cheese. You can use any type of cheese you like, but harder cheeses such as cheddar, pepper jack, gouda, or Colby are recommended. You can also add herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, or olives to taste.
Bread flour is best as it has more protein, which means more gluten, resulting in a fluffier and chewier texture. However, plain/all-purpose flour can also be used.
Combine the flour, salt, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the water and olive oil until a thick dough forms. Add more water if needed. Gently stir in the cheese. Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 12-18 hours at room temperature.
Preheat your oven to 240°C/450°F (220°C fan-forced). Transfer the dough to a baking pan or sheet, preferably lined with parchment paper. Bake covered for 30-35 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the surface is golden brown. Allow the bread to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
