2cups(226 g) sharp cheddar cheesecut into small cubes
½cupjalapenosfresh, diced (seeds and membranes removed)
1 ½cups(340 ml) waterwarmed to 110°F to 115°F
1tablespoonolive oilor avocado oil
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, 2 cups of the all-purpose flour (save the rest), yeast, and salt. After the ingredients are well mixed, add the cubed cheddar cheese, and diced jalapenos. Gently toss until the cheese and jalapenos are coated with flour.
Pour in the warm water and use a spoon to stir the ingredients until a shaggy dough forms. Add more all-purpose flour if the dough is too wet. If there is residual flour in the bottom of the bowl, add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time until all the flour has been incorporated into the dough. The dough will appear rough and bumpy due to the cheddar cheese and jalapenos.
1 ½ cups (340 ml) water
Leave the dough in the bowl, and knead it 4 or 5 times until the dough smooths out a bit. If any cubes of cheese fall out, simply add them back to the dough as you knead. Drizzle the oil over the dough, and carefully turn the dough over to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Transfer the bowl to a warm, draft-free area and allow the dough to rise until doubled in size (about 30 minutes to an hour). While the dough rises, place a large Dutch oven and its lid into the oven and preheat to 450 degrees.
1 tablespoon olive oil
After the dough rises, transfer it to a large piece of parchment paper. Shape the dough into a tight ball and ensure it's centered on the parchment paper. Carefully place the parchment paper and dough into the hot Dutch oven and cover with the hot lid. Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees, and bake for 40 minutes then remove the lid.
After 40 minutes, remove the lid, and return the bread to the oven to bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove the bread from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
*It’s important to shape the dough before baking. After the dough is on the parchment paper, gently shape into a tight ball shape. This will help the bread rise upward into spread out as it bakes.*This bread is heavy in cheese, so it may not rise as much as plain bread. To help the bread rise a little more, reduce the amount of cheese.The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1-slice of the jalapeno cheddar bread. Actual calories will vary.