Irresistible Homemade Cheese Bread That’s Soft and Cheesy Recipe
This irresistible homemade cheese bread is soft, chewy, and packed with melted cheese for a flavorful twist on classic bread. Perfect as a snack or alongside your favorite meal, it’s made with simple ingredients like flour, yeast, butter, and a generous amount of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. The dough is kneaded, allowed to rise twice, and baked to golden perfection, resulting in a warm, cheesy loaf with a buttery crust.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (8 to 10 servings) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for kneading)
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast (one standard packet)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup warm milk (not hot)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 large egg
Cheese Filling
- 1½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
- Optional: ½ teaspoon garlic powder or dried herbs for added flavor
Finishing
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (for brushing after baking)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, granulated sugar, and instant yeast. Stir gently and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes slightly foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready.
- Prepare the dough: Add the melted butter, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour until a soft dough forms that is slightly sticky but manageable.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook and knead on medium speed for about 6 minutes.
- First rise: Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm draft-free spot for 1 to 1½ hours or until it doubles in size.
- Shape and add cheese: Once risen, punch down the dough gently to release air. Transfer it to a floured surface and roll or pat it into an 8×14-inch rectangle. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the dough, optionally adding garlic powder or herbs, and press lightly to help it stick.
- Form the loaf: Roll the dough tightly from the short end into a log and pinch the seam to seal. Place the loaf seam-side down into a greased loaf pan.
- Second rise: Cover the loaf with a towel and allow it to rise again in a warm spot for 30 to 45 minutes, until puffed.
- Preheat oven: During the last rise, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the bread: Bake the loaf for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. If it browns too fast, tent loosely with foil partway through baking.
- Brush with butter and cool: Remove from the oven, brush the top with melted butter for a glossy finish, and let the bread cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Adjust cheese types based on preference; a mix of cheddar and mozzarella gives great flavor and melt.
- If you like, add herbs like rosemary or thyme and garlic powder to the cheese for extra aroma and taste.
- The second rise is important for a light and soft texture.
- Use unsalted butter to control saltiness and brush melted butter while still warm for a shiny crust.
- Store leftovers wrapped in foil or plastic and reheat slightly before serving to refresh softness.
Keywords: cheese bread, homemade bread, soft bread, cheesy bread, baked bread, easy bread recipe
