Sourdough Cheese Bread
Description
This Sourdough Cheese Bread is a comforting fusion of tangy fermented dough, sharp cheddar, and smoky bacon. The sourdough starter provides a distinctive depth of flavor, while the melted cheese and crispy bacon add rich, savory notes in every bite. The texture is soft and pillowy on the inside with a golden, slightly crisp crust. Its perfect for breakfast gatherings, holiday brunches, or as a hearty side dish for soups and stews. Simple to prepare with pantry staples, this recipe yields two beautiful loaves that are best enjoyed warm from the oven.Ingredients
Directions
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Preheat oven to 375F (190C).
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Fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove from heat, drain on paper towels, and crumble. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, combine sourdough starter, lukewarm milk, sugar, and salt. Beat well to combine.
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Stir in the slightly beaten egg, melted butter, and grated cheddar cheese.
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In a separate bowl, mix the baking soda with 3 cups of the flour.
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Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring after each addition. Reserve the remaining 1 cup of flour for kneading.
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Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in reserved flour as needed until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
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Fold the crumbled bacon into the dough during the final stage of kneading.
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Divide the dough in half. Shape each portion into a loaf and place into two greased 9x5-inch loaf pans.
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Brush the tops of the loaves with remaining melted butter.
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Cover the pans with a clean cloth and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
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Bake for 30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the bottoms sound hollow when tapped.
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If the tops begin to brown too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil.
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Cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 2
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 1179.6kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 65.2g101%
- Saturated Fat 21.7g109%
- Cholesterol 70.5mg24%
- Sodium 1286.7mg54%
- Total Carbohydrate 77.2g26%
- Dietary Fiber 1.8g8%
- Sugars 36.3g
- Protein 66.2g133%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Slice before freezing for easy individual servings.
Try adding chopped jalapeos for a spicy kick, or substitute half the cheddar with mozzarella for a milder flavor. You can also omit the bacon for a vegetarian version.
Ensure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly for the best rise. If the dough feels too sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time. If it feels too dry, add a teaspoon of milk.
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