Irish Cheddar Bread
Irish Cheddar Bread! This easy yeast cheese bread recipe is practically foolproof. Make it with Irish cheddar for St. Patrick’s Day or your favorite cheese any time you’re in the mood for homemade bread.
Servings: 2 loaves
Ingredients
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2¼ teaspoons granulated sugar
- 3¼ cups flour
- 2¼ teaspoons sea salt
- 1 cup Irish cheddar cheese cut into small chunks or grated
- 1½ cups lukewarm water about 110°F
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine yeast, sugar, flour, salt and cheese until well-combined. Slowly pour in the warm water and mix until there are no more dry patches. (See note)
- Beat on high for about 1-2 minutes. The dough will be sticky and stretchy.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm, dark place for about 2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Once the dough has doubled, scoop it out onto a well-floured surface and divide into two equal halves. Smooth out each piece by stretching the dough around the ball and tucking it underneath until you have a firm ball.
- Place each ball onto a liberally floured pan or baking stone and set aside to rise for another 40 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 450°F. Place an empty baking or roasted pan on the top rack and leave space on the lowest rack for the bread pan.
- When the loaves have risen the second time, dust each with a bit of flour and either slash the tops or use a stencil to create a design on each loaf if desired.
- Just before putting bread in the oven, pour a few cups of hot or boiling water into the empty baking or roasting pan. Quickly put the bread on the bottom rack and bake for about 25-28 minutes or until the tops are browned and firm.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool a bit before slicing.
Notes
Adapted from Grandparents.com originally excerpted from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day
Tip: If you aren’t sure if the yeast is fresh, I recommend allowing the yeast to “bloom” in a separate cup or bowl. Just combine the warm water and yeast with sugar. The yeast should start to become foamy on top within 5-10 minutes if it is alive.
Variations
- Use a different type of cheese to change up the flavor.
- Add about ½ a cup of caramelized onion bits to the dough for a super flavorful addition.
- Try adding fresh chopped herbs to the dough – dill works great with this recipe!
- Vegan: Use a plant-based cheese instead of regular.