Spicy Cheddar Jalapeño Artisan Bread
This Spicy Cheddar Jalapeño Artisan Bread is a must-try for fans of bold flavors and rustic textures. With its delightful combination of creamy, melted cheddar cheese and zesty jalapeños, this bread elevates any meal, making it a perfect companion for soups, stews, or simply enjoyed on its own. The addition of an egg gives it a unique spongy texture that’s perfect for dipping, while the minimal sugar and absence of butter create a light yet satisfying loaf. This recipe is easy enough for beginners, requiring no shaping into a traditional loaf – simply form two round balls of dough. Prepare for the delightful aroma that will fill your kitchen as this bread bakes to golden perfection!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
dry yeast
1.5 tablespoons
sugar
1 teaspoon
warm water
1 cup
flour
4 cups (more as needed)
jalapeño peppers
2 large (coarsely chopped, seeds removed)
salt
1.75 teaspoons
sugar
1 tablespoon
egg
1 (room temperature, let sit in hot water for 5-7 minutes)
hot pepper sauce
1 teaspoon (optional)
milk
3/4 cup (warmed)
cheddar cheese
2.5 cups (chopped into about 1/2-inch cubes)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing your heavy-duty stand mixer with the kneader blade.
2
In a bowl, proof the yeast by combining it with warm water and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Allow it to sit for 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy.
3
While the yeast is proofing, gently warm the milk in the microwave for about 50 seconds on high.
4
In the stainless steel mixer bowl, combine 4 cups of flour, coarsely chopped jalapeños, salt, 1 tablespoon of sugar, the room-temperature egg, optional hot pepper sauce, and the warmed milk.
5
Once the yeast is proofed, add it to the flour mixture and start kneading. Gradually add additional flour as needed to form a soft and smooth semi-sticky dough. Knead for about 8-10 minutes.
6
Towards the end of the kneading process, fold in the cubed cheddar cheese, mixing well until fully combined. If desired, you can remove the dough and mix in the cheese by hand for a more rustic approach.
7
Let the dough rest on a lightly floured surface, covered with a clean tea towel, for about 8-10 minutes.
8
Gently knead the dough for about 30 seconds to develop the gluten further.
9
Place the dough in a well-greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a tea towel, and allow it to rise in a warm area until it doubles in size, approximately 1.5 hours, or longer if needed.
10
Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into two equal pieces.
11
Shape each piece into a large ball and place them on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
12
Cover the dough balls with a clean tea towel and let them rise for another hour, or until they have doubled in size again.
13
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
14
Once the dough has risen, brush the tops with an egg white mixed with 1 teaspoon of cold water.
15
Optionally, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese or sesame seeds on top for added flavor and texture.
16
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-35 minutes, or until the crust is a dark golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
17
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Cheddar Jalapeño Artisan Bread?
This is a bold-flavored, rustic artisan bread filled with melted cheddar cheese and zesty jalapeños, featuring a unique spongy texture.
What ingredient gives this bread its unique spongy texture?
The addition of a room-temperature egg provides the bread with its characteristic spongy, dipping-friendly texture.
Is this bread recipe suitable for beginners?
Yes, the recipe is easy for beginners as it requires no traditional loaf shaping; you simply form the dough into two round balls.
How many jalapeño peppers are needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 large jalapeño peppers that are coarsely chopped with the seeds removed.
What size should the cheddar cheese be cut into?
The cheddar cheese should be chopped into approximately 1/2-inch cubes for the best results.
How long should the dry yeast be allowed to proof?
The yeast should proof in warm water with sugar for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
How should the milk be prepared before adding it to the dough?
The milk should be gently warmed in the microwave for about 50 seconds on high.
How can I quickly bring a cold egg to room temperature?
You can let a cold egg sit in a bowl of hot water for 5 to 7 minutes to bring it to room temperature.
What equipment is recommended for kneading the dough?
A heavy-duty stand mixer equipped with a kneader blade is recommended for the kneading process.
How much initial flour is used in the mixer?
The recipe starts with 4 cups of flour in the mixer bowl, with more added gradually as needed.
When should the optional hot pepper sauce be added?
The optional hot pepper sauce should be added to the mixer bowl along with the initial flour and milk mixture.
How long does the primary kneading process take?
The dough should be kneaded for approximately 8 to 10 minutes until it is soft and smooth.
At what point is the cheddar cheese incorporated into the dough?
Fold in the cubed cheddar cheese towards the very end of the initial kneading process.
Can I mix the cheese into the dough by hand?
Yes, you can remove the dough from the mixer and fold in the cheese by hand for a more rustic approach.
How long should the dough rest after the first knead?
The dough should rest on a lightly floured surface, covered with a towel, for about 8 to 10 minutes.
Why is the dough kneaded for an additional 30 seconds after resting?
This brief second kneading helps to further develop the gluten in the dough.
How long is the first rise in the bowl?
The dough should rise in a warm area for approximately 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.
How many loaves does this artisan bread recipe yield?
This recipe yields two equal-sized round loaves of bread.
What is the shaping method for these loaves?
Divide the dough into two equal pieces and shape each piece into a large ball.
How long is the second rise after shaping the loaves?
The shaped dough balls should rise for another hour or until they have doubled in size again.
What temperature should the oven be set to for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
What ingredients make up the egg wash for the top of the bread?
The egg wash is made by mixing one egg white with 1 teaspoon of cold water.
What are some optional toppings for the crust?
You can optionally sprinkle the tops of the loaves with grated Parmesan cheese or sesame seeds before baking.
How long should the bread bake in the oven?
The bread should bake for 25 to 35 minutes until the crust is dark golden brown.
How can I tell if the bread is fully baked?
The bread is done when the crust is dark golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Does this artisan bread recipe require butter?
No, this recipe specifically excludes butter to create a light yet satisfying loaf.
How much yeast is required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 1.5 tablespoons of dry yeast.
What is the total amount of sugar used in the dough?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of sugar for proofing the yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar in the dough mixture.
What should the consistency of the dough be after kneading?
The dough should be soft, smooth, and semi-sticky after the kneading process is complete.
What are the best serving suggestions for this bread?
This bread is a perfect companion for soups and stews or can be enjoyed on its own.