Cheddar Cheese Sandwich Bread Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade Cheddar Cheese Sandwich Bread with this easy baking recipe! Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or alongside soups, this flavorful loaf combines sharp cheddar with a tender, enriched dough for an irresistible bread that elevates any meal.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
2 hours 15 mins
Cook Time:
40 mins
Serves:
1 loaf (12 slices)
An overhead shot of a freshly sliced Cheddar Cheese Sandwich Bread loaf on a rustic wooden board, with several slices fanned out to showcase the tender crumb studded with pockets of melted cheddar. Natural window light highlights the golden-brown crust and the vibrant orange streaks of cheese throughout the bread. In the background, a cheese knife rests beside scattered cheddar chunks and sprigs of fresh herbs, while a sandwich made with the bread sits partially in frame, revealing layers of deli meat and fresh vegetables between two perfectly cut slices.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">500g strong bread flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">10g salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">7g instant dried yeast</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30g unsalted butter, softened</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">320ml lukewarm water</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">200g mature cheddar cheese, grated (plus 50g extra for topping)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp milk, for brushing</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">9×5-inch (23×13cm) loaf tin</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Stand mixer with dough hook (optional)</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Dough scraper</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Cooling rack</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour and salt, mixing well to distribute the salt evenly. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy – this ensures your yeast is active and ready to work.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Make a well in the center of your flour mixture and pour in the yeast mixture and add the softened butter. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix everything together until it forms a shaggy dough. The butter will not fully incorporate at this stage, which is perfectly fine.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should pass the windowpane test – when you stretch a small piece thinly, it should become translucent without tearing. This lengthy kneading develops the gluten structure that will give your bread a wonderful texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size. The slow rise develops flavor in your bread, so be patient!</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release excess air bubbles. On a lightly floured surface, flatten the dough into a rectangle roughly the length of your loaf tin. Scatter 200g of the grated cheddar evenly over the surface, leaving a 2cm border around the edges.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Roll the dough up tightly from the short end, like a swiss roll, pinching the seam and ends firmly to seal in the cheese. This rolling technique creates beautiful cheese swirls throughout your finished loaf. Place the dough seam-side down in your greased loaf tin.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Cover again and allow to prove for another 45-60 minutes, or until the dough has risen to about 2cm above the rim of the tin. Toward the end of proving time, preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas mark 6).</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Gently brush the top of the loaf with milk and sprinkle with the remaining 50g of grated cheddar. The milk helps the cheese adhere and promotes browning, while the cheese creates a deliciously crispy, golden top.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom. If the cheese on top starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil for the remaining baking time.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period allows the crumb structure to set and makes slicing easier. Resist the temptation to cut into it while still hot, as this can make the bread gummy!</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>Once completely cooled, slice with a serrated knife and enjoy in sandwiches, toasted with butter, or alongside soups and stews. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze sliced for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Cheddar Cheese Sandwich Bread?

This bread requires strong bread flour, salt, instant dried yeast, unsalted butter, lukewarm water, mature cheddar cheese, and milk for brushing. The cheese is incorporated both within the dough and sprinkled on top for a flavourful golden crust.

How to cook Cheddar Cheese Sandwich Bread at home?

Learn how to cook Cheddar Cheese Sandwich Bread by first creating a yeasted dough with bread flour, letting it rise, then rolling it with grated cheddar before shaping and baking in a loaf tin. The key steps include proper kneading, allowing for two rises, and baking at 200°C until golden and hollow-sounding when tapped.

Why does my cheese bread collapse in the middle after baking?

Bread collapse usually occurs due to under-baking, opening the oven door too early, or overproofing. For cheese bread specifically, too much cheese can create heavy pockets that sink. Ensure your bread is fully baked (internal temperature of 90°C) and properly proofed.

Can you freeze homemade cheese bread?

Yes, homemade cheese bread freezes excellently! Cool completely, then either freeze the whole loaf (wrapped tightly in cling film and foil) or pre-slice for convenience. Frozen cheese bread maintains quality for up to 3 months and can be defrosted at room temperature or toasted straight from frozen.

What's the best cheese to use for a flavourful bread loaf?

Mature or sharp cheddar provides the most pronounced flavour as it melts without disappearing into the crumb. Other excellent options include Gruyère for nuttiness, Parmesan for umami richness, or smoked cheeses for depth. Avoid very soft cheeses like Brie which can make the dough too wet.

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Place the dough seam-side down in your greased loaf tin." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Second Rise", "text": "Cover again and allow to prove for another 45-60 minutes, or until the dough has risen to about 2cm above the rim of the tin. Toward the end of proving time, preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas mark 6)." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Prepare for Baking", "text": "Gently brush the top of the loaf with milk and sprinkle with the remaining 50g of grated cheddar. The milk helps the cheese adhere and promotes browning, while the cheese creates a deliciously crispy, golden top." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Bake", "text": "Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom. 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Will definitely make again!", "name": "Grilled Cheese Heaven", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Chen Wei", "datePublished": "2024-06-10", "reviewBody": "The tangy cheese flavor throughout this bread is exactly what I was hoping for! I used an aged Vermont cheddar and the result was spectacular. The detailed instructions made it foolproof even for a beginner baker like me.", "name": "Perfect Tangy Flavor", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Olivia Thompson", "datePublished": "2024-06-12", "reviewBody": "Soft texture with beautiful crust! My whole family devoured this loaf in one day. The crust has just the right amount of crispness while the interior stays beautifully soft. This will be my go-to bread recipe from now on!", "name": "Family Favorite Already", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ] }
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