Herbed Cheese Bread

This Herbed Cheese Bread is a great example of why I love to bake bread.  Baking bread is infinitely variable and always interesting.

Starters when baking bread

While sourdough starters and sourdough breads have caught everyone’s attention of late, there is definitely something to be said for the yeast raised breads that can be made in a few hours start to finished baking.  Artisan bread bakers who use a variety of starters including sourdough, biga, levains and some just labeled “starter” have schedules that can take up to days to make a loaf of bread.

Did I hop on the sourdough wagon earlier this year?  Sure did and I made a great starter.  I journaled my trip through sourdough land and may turn it into a book at some point. I feed mine every Monday and keep a fairly large container of cast off to use with yeast reinforcement or other recipes as I think of or convert them.

Baking gets better when you subscribe

Baking gets better when you subscribe to receive this PDF on getting the most out of baking including information on equipment, ingredients and baking equipment.

Email Address

By subscribing, I consent to receiving emails.

Yeast used in Bread Baking

Some people think it’s either the long road around bread baking or nothing.  I believe in all of them – long, medium or short, with yeast or without yeast.  Bread is my comfort food.  This Herbed Cheese Bread is great for sandwiches and soups or just to eat as a snack, which I am doing now as I write this.

There are several different kinds of yeast used for  home bakers.  The two most prevelant are active dry yeast or instant yeast.  When it was first introduced, instant yeast was a finer ground yeast.  However, today the active dry yeast is also ground finer and some people use them interchangeable.

Currently, I just use the instant yeast.  I generally use the same amount of either one.  The active dry yeast may take a bit longer to rise.  The instant yeast may also give just a wee bit higher rise but really not noticeable unless they are side by side.

Variables Within the Herb Cheese Bread

While I used both bread flour and a bit of whole wheat, all bread flour can be used.  The cheese can also be varied to your taste or to what you have on hand.  Even the oil can be changed out

I love that this Herbed Cheese Bread leaves a welcome tingle of warmth when eaten and also that the taste lingers a bit when finished.  This is a very straight forward, easy loaf of bread with an unusual twist to the shaping.

I trust you will enjoy it as I do.    

Herbed Cheese Bread

2 cups bread flour (280 grams or 10 ounces)
½ cup whole wheat flour* (70 grams or about 2 ½ ounces)
1 ¼ teaspoons salt
4 ounces pepper jack cheese or what every cheese you wish (114 grams)
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons instant yeast
½ cup milk
⅓ cup water
3 tablespoons zippy garlic oil, plain olive oil or canola oil
1 large egg

*All bread flour can be used if necessary but the whole wheat bumps up the flavor.

In the bowl of a food processor, place both flours, salt, and the cheese.  Process until the cheese is indistinguishable.

Add the herbs and instant yeast.  Pulse several times to mix well.

Combine the milk, water, oil, and egg. Add them to the dry ingredients in the processor bowl and process until a ball forms. It should be a bit sticky but not wet. Add another tablespoon or two of flour if necessary if wet but it should remain sticky.

Pour the dough out and knead it a few times to form a ball.  Spray a container with non-stick baking release.  Place the dough in the container and turn it over so it is coated on both sides.  Cover with film and then place the top on.  Mark the top with the time.

Let rise for about 2 hours. This is a slow riser so I usually put it in the oven with only the light turned on.

At this point it can be refrigerated overnight or for a couple of days if that fits your schedule better.

When ready to use, divide the dough into 3 pieces about 240 grams or 8 ½ ounces each.  Roll each piece into a rope about 26” long.

Place the pieces next to each other and pinch the top together.  Braid the three pieces together.

Coil the braid, tucking the end piece underneath.

Let rise for 45 to 60 minutes until about doubled. I put my loaf in my oven with just the oven light on.  If you have a gas oven with a pilot light, you may need to prop the door open.  The temperature should not exceed 85°F.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush with zippy garlic oil.  If you prefer a really crisp crust, throw a handful of ice cubes on the bottom of the oven to create steam.  In any case, bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until it registers about 200°F.

Cool.

Makes 1 large loaf – 640 grams or almost 1 ½ pounds