A golden, cheesy loaf packed with melted cheddar and spicy jalapeños — soft inside with a crisp, flavourful crust.
Description
This savoury bread has a golden-brown crust topped with melted cheddar and fresh jalapeño slices. Inside, the crumb is soft and studded with pockets of gooey cheese and mild heat from the peppers. Sliced while warm, it pulls apart with stretchy cheese strands. Perfect on its own, with butter, or alongside soups and stews.
Yield
1 medium round or oval loaf
Ingredients
- 3 cups (375 g) bread flour or all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp (7 g) instant yeast
- 1 tbsp sugar or honey
- 1 cup (240 ml) warm water or milk
- 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- 1 ½ cups (150 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2–3 fresh jalapeños, sliced (seeds removed for milder heat)
- Extra cheese and jalapeño slices for topping
Instructions
- Mix the dough
In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, yeast, and sugar. Add the warm water/milk and oil. Mix until a soft dough forms. - Add cheese and jalapeños
Knead in most of the shredded cheddar and half of the jalapeño slices until evenly distributed. Knead for 6–8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. - First rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. - Shape
Gently punch down the dough. Shape it into a round or oval loaf. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a Dutch oven. Press the remaining cheese and jalapeño slices onto the top. Cover and let rise for another 30–45 minutes. - Bake
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the crust is deep golden and the cheese is melted and lightly browned. If using a Dutch oven, bake covered for the first 20 minutes, then uncovered. - Cool
Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for at least 20–30 minutes before slicing.
Tips
- For milder bread, remove all jalapeño seeds and membranes.
- Best served warm while the cheese is still soft.
- Store leftovers in an airtight bag at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze slices. Reheat gently to restore the melted cheese texture.
