Crusty Cheese Bread Recipes

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the butter, garlic powder and cayenne. Spread over cut sides of bread; sprinkle with cheese. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. , Bake at 350° for 9-11 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut into slices.

Steps:

• Sprinkle yeast over warm water.
• Let stand 5 minutes.
• Stir gently to moisten.
• With mixer, blend softened yeast with cottage cheese, sugar, salt and egg.
• Add flour in 1/2 cup portions to form stiff dough.
• Beat well by hand after each addition.
• Cover dough and let rise in a warm place until double (about 1 hour).
• Butter a 1 1/2 quart casserole.
• Stir down dough and transfer to buttered casserole.
• Let rise another 30 to 40 minutes until almost double.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until golden brown.
• Brush crust with butter and serve.
• Variations: Add 1 tablespoon grated onion and 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds before adding flour.
• Mix in 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese when stirring down dough.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Mix the cheeses with the mayonnaise, 1/4 stick of the softened butter and the green onions. Add the salt and pepper to taste and set aside or keep in the fridge until you need it.
• Melt the remaining 1 stick butter in a skillet over medium-low heat and add the garlic. Cook for a couple of minutes to release the garlic flavor.
• Cut the loaf of bread in half. Brush the garlic butter over each half, making sure it's evenly distributed. Spread the cheese mixture on the loaves and bake until the cheese is hot and bubbly, about 10 minutes.
• Once out of the oven, sprinkle over the chopped parsley. Slice and serve.

Steps:

• Do ahead
• To make the starter, combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl. If using a mixer, use the paddle attachment and mix on the lowest speed for 1 minute, then increase to medium speed for about 30 seconds. If mixing by hand, stir for about 2 minutes, until well blended. The starter should feel doughlike and tacky or slightly sticky; if not, stir in additional flour or water as needed.
• Transfer the starter to a lightly floured work surface and knead for about 30 seconds. Place the starter in a clean, lightly oiled bowl, cover the bowl loosely, and leave at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours, until the starter increases to about 1 1/2 times its original size. If you plan to use the starter the same day, allow 1 more hour of fermentation so that it nearly doubles in size. Otherwise, put the starter in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• To make the dough, chop the starter into 10 to 12 pieces and put them in a mixing bowl. Separately, combine the water and milk, then add the yeast and honey and whisk until dissolved. Pour the mixture over the starter and stir to soften the starter.
• Add the flour and salt. If using a mixer, use the dough hook and mix on the lowest speed for about 4 minutes. If mixing by hand, stir with a large spoon for about 4 minutes. The dough should be soft, supple, and tacky but not sticky. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
• Mix with the dough hook on medium-low speed, or continue to mix by hand, for another 3 minutes, adding flour or liquid as needed to maintain a soft, supple, and tacky but not sticky dough. Add the onions and mix on the lowest speed or continue mixing by hand for another minute, until the onions are evenly distributed.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead for 1 or 2 minutes to make any final adjustments, then form the dough into a ball.
• Place the dough in a clean, lightly oiled bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and immediately refrigerate overnight or for up to 4 days. (If you plan to bake the dough in batches over different days, you can portion the dough and place it into two or more oiled bowls at this stage.) The dough should double in size in the refrigerator. If you want to bake the bread the same day you mix the dough, don't refrigerate the final dough; just let it rest at room temperature for about 60 to 90 minutes, until it doubles in size. Then proceed to shaping and baking, as described below.
• On baking day
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator about 2 hours before you plan to bake. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and divide it into 2 equal pieces, each weighing about 2 pounds (907 g). Dust each piece with flour, then use your hands to gently press them into rectangles 8 inches wide and 12 inches deep. Spread half of the cheese over the surface of one rectangle and roll the dough up like a rug, from the bottom to the top, to form a log. If any cheese falls out, tuck it back in or save it for the second loaf. Seal the seam with your fingertips. Shape the log into a bâtard (see page 21) or extend it into a baguette-style loaf (see page 22) by gently rocking the loaf back and forth. Place the loaves on parchment-lined sheet pans, mist with spray oil, and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise at room temperature for 90 minutes to 2 hours, until the loaves begin to noticeably swell in size.
• About 45 minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) and prepare it for hearth baking (see page 30). About 15 minutes before baking, uncover the loaves and score them with a sharp serrated knife or razor blade, making 2 or 3 diagonal cuts about 1/2 inch deep.
• Transfer the dough to the oven, pour 1 cup of hot water into the steam pan, and lower the oven temperature to 425°F (218°C).
• Bake for 15 minutes, then rotate the pans and bake for another 15 to 25 minutes, until the loaves are a deep golden brown and have an internal temperature above 195°F (91°C) in the center.
• Remove from the pans and cool on a wire rack for about 1 hour before slicing or serving.
• Variation
• If you would like to avoid the air pockets caused by the melting cheese, you can knead cubed cheese into the dough after the overnight rise, just before shaping, rather than rolling it up in the dough. This will create little cheese bursts throughout the loaf instead of a spiral.

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to low. In a small bowl, mix the butter, mayonnaise and cheese, then season with salt and pepper.
• Cut the baguette in half both crossways and horizontally. Evenly spread cheese mixture on the bread. Place on a baking sheet and broil until golden, about 3 minutes.

Steps:

• Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water and let stand 5 minutes.
• Gently stir to completely dissolve.
• With an electric mixer, blend the softened yeast into the cottage cheese, sugar, salt and egg.
• Add the flour in 1/2 cup portions to form a stiff but light dough and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.
• Butter a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish and stir the dough down, then add 1 cup of the grated cheddar cheese.
• Turn into the buttered dish.
• Let rise 30 to 40 minutes longer or until almost doubled in size.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until golden brown.
• Brush the top with butter.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Put the garlic cloves on a square of heavy foil, drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle on some salt and pepper. Wrap it up and bake until the garlic is golden, nutty and mushy, about 1 hour. Let cool. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
• Mix the garlic together with the 4 cheeses, chives, crushed red pepper flakes and some black pepper in a bowl.
• Cut the bread in strips in one direction, being careful not to cut all the way through the loaf. Rotate the bread 90 degrees and cut in the other direction. Stuff the cheese mixture in between the rows. Drizzle the melted butter all over the top.
• Wrap in foil and bake for 25 minutes. Open up the foil and bake until the cheese is hot and bubbly, another 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Cut the block of cheese in half lengthwise and position end to end, so that the cheese forms a long rectangle. Center the cheese rectangle on the top of the bread so there is a small border of bread around it. Using the point of a chef's knife and a back and forth sawing motion, cut into the crust following an outline 1/2 inch larger than the cheese on all sides; be careful not to cut all the way through to the bottom of the bread. Remove the cut crust and some of the loaf's interior, leaving the bottom crust and the bread on the sides intact (set aside the extra bread for breadcrumbs or another use). The cheese should fit in the cavity with about a 1/2-inch space around it and it should be about flush with the top of the bread. If not, cut and trim the cheese so it fits.
• Line the bread bowl with the prosciutto so that the meat completely covers the bottom and sides (this will stop the melted cheese from leaking as it bakes). Drape the cured meats along the sides of the cutout so that they hang over the edges of the loaf.
• Sprinkle half of the giardiniera and olives over the prosciutto. Top with the cheese blocks. Sprinkle the remaining giardiniera and olives over the top and sides of the cheese. Brush any exposed bread with oil. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, cover with foil and bake until the cheese is completely melted and beginning to drip down the sides, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Let sit covered for 10 minutes before cutting into thick slices.

Steps:

• Combine the yeast, sugar and 1/2 cup of warm water in a small jug or bowl.
• Leave in a warm place until frothy (about ten minutes).
• Put the flour, salt, milk powder and oil in a large bowl or bench mixer.
• Stir to combine and then add the yeast mixture and 1 cup of warm water.
• Mix to a soft dough and then knead for about ten minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
• Put the dough in an oiled bowl and cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap.
• Leave the dough in a warm place for an hour or until doubled in size.
• Punch the dough down and knead for 1 minute.
• Divide in half and out of each half make 10 six cm (2 1/2 inch) flat discs.
• Mix the herbs with the cheese and place approximately 3 teaspoons of the mixture onto ten of the discs.
• Press the remaining 10 discs on top of the cheesey ones.
• Grease a loaf tin (21 x 10. 5 x 6. 5 cm) and stand the discs upright in the prepared tin.
• You will have to squeeze them together to fit them all inches.
• Cover with a clean cloth and leave in a warm place for 40 minutes or until doubled in size.
• Preheat the oven to 200°C - 400°F.
• Glaze the loaf with a little milk and bake for 30-40 minutes or until brown and crusty and cooked through.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Lightly grease a 10x15-inch baking sheet.
• Press dough on to prepared baking sheet. Combine butter, garlic, and basil in a small bowl; drizzle over dough. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese, Romano cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven until crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Cut into squares and serve warm.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a large baking sheet.
• Roll dough out into a large rectangle on a flat work surface. Brush with 3 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with cornmeal. Flip dough over and scatter mozzarella cheese, Mexican cheese blend, and 1 cup Cheddar cheese on top. Fold the dough in half and press edges together with your fingers to seal.
• Brush remaining 1 tablespoon butter over dough and lightly sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon Cheddar cheese, dried parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder. Make shallow cuts 1 inch apart across the top with a knife, so that you can easily pull the bread apart after baking.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bread is golden brown and cheese is bubbly about 25 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before pulling strips apart.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add cheeses, milk, sugar, butter, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough., Do not knead. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours., Stir dough down; transfer to 2 greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 375°. In a small bowl, combine egg white and water. In another bowl, combine topping ingredients. Brush loaves with egg white mixture; sprinkle with topping. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Using a rubber spatula, stir in 3-1/2 cups flour and salt to form a soft, sticky dough. Do not knead. Cover and let rise at room temperature 1 hour., Stir down dough (dough will be sticky). Turn onto a floured surface; with floured hands pat into a 9-in. square. Fold square into thirds, forming a 9x3-in. rectangle. Fold rectangle into thirds, forming a 3-in. square. Place in a large greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise at room temperature until almost doubled, about 1 hour., Punch down dough and repeat folding process. Return dough to bowl; refrigerate, covered, overnight., Grease the bottom of a disposable foil roasting pan with sides at least 4 in. high; dust pan with cornmeal. Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead gently 6-8 times; shape into a 6-in. round loaf. Place into prepared pan; dust top with remaining 1 tablespoon flour. Cover pan and let rise at room temperature until dough expands to a 7-1/2-in. loaf, about 1-1/4 hours. , Preheat oven to 500°. Using a sharp knife, make a slash (1/4 in. deep) across top of loaf. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake on lowest oven rack 25 minutes., Reduce oven setting to 450°. Remove foil; bake bread until deep golden brown, 25-30 minutes. Remove loaf to a wire rack to cool.

Steps:

• Important: you will need a heavy pot with a lid. A Dutch oven is ideal; I just use a heavy stew pot with thick sides. I start the dough at 9pm if I want it for dinner the next day.
• In a large bowl combine flour, yeast and salt. Add 1 5/8 cups water, and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably about 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.
• Dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and flop dough onto it. Fold it over on itself once or twice. Put some flour on your hands if the dough sticks to them. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes.
• Divide the bag of cheese into 1/4s, and divide the jar of peppers into 4 portions, too, taking care to remove any stems or woody bits.
• Remove plastic and press the dough flat. Sprinkle it with a portion of peppers and cheese. Fold in half, press flat, sprinkle again. I usually only use 3 of the 4 portions of cheese/peppers. Mash it into a ball, pressing firmly to seal the seam.
• Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with cornmeal; put dough seam side down on towel and dust with more cornmeal. Cover with another cotton towel and let rise for about 2 hours. When it is ready, dough will be more than double in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.
• At least a half-hour before dough is ready, heat oven to 450 degrees. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in oven as it heats. When dough is ready, carefully remove pot from oven. Drop dough into pot, taking care not to burn your fingers. It may look like a mess, but that is O.K. Shake pan once or twice if dough is unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes.
• Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake another 15 or longer, until loaf is beautifully browned. This may take as long as 60minutes total bake time, but mine is usually done by 45min total.
• Cool on a rack. Listen to it crackle as it cools.

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan and set aside.
• Mix flour, baking powder, salt, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and Cheddar cheese together in a large bowl. Whisk in half-and-half cream, milk, and vegetable just until blended. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
• In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cheese. In another large bowl, beat together egg, milk and oil. Stir the flour/cheese mixture into the egg mixture, stirring until just moistened. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out clean.