Description
This Cheese Bread recipe creates a deliciously soft and cheesy loaf with a crisp crust, thanks to a no-knead dough method and baking in a preheated pot. The dough is easy to prepare and lets the cheese infuse throughout the bread with a beautiful melted cheese crown on top.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups bread flour
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups very warm tap water
Cheese
- 2 1/2 cups Colby cheese, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Make the no-knead dough: In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, and kosher salt. Pour in the very warm tap water and stir together until the mixture forms a sticky dough. Do not knead. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise for 2 to 3 hours until it has doubled in size and is bubbly.
- Preheat the oven and pot: About 30 minutes before baking, place a heavy oven-safe pot (such as a Dutch oven) with its lid inside the oven and preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) to get the pot hot. This step ensures a crisp crust.
- Shape the dough and add cheese: Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it into a disc shape. Spread most of the shredded Colby cheese over the surface, then fold the dough over itself a few times to incorporate the cheese evenly inside.
- Prepare for baking: Transfer the dough onto a piece of parchment paper for easy handling. Sprinkle the reserved shredded cheese on top of the dough to create a cheese crown that will melt and brown during baking.
- Bake covered: Carefully remove the hot pot from the oven and lift the parchment paper with the dough into the pot. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. Baking covered traps steam, creating a crispy crust and fluffy inside.
- Bake uncovered: After 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes to brown and crisp the cheese crown and crust further.
- Cool before slicing: Remove the bread from the pot and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Cooling ensures the crumb sets properly and the cheese layers hold their structure.
Notes
- Use very warm, not hot, tap water to activate the yeast without killing it.
- Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella for different flavors.
- Letting the dough rise longer will develop more flavor and a better texture.
- Using a preheated pot is key for the signature crust of this no-knead bread.
- Cool the bread thoroughly to avoid a gummy texture when slicing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cheese bread, no knead bread, Colby cheese bread, homemade bread, easy bread recipe, cheesy loaf
