If you’ve ever wanted to bake bread that looks like it came straight out of a rustic bakery but with the gooey goodness of cheddar and the fresh kick of herbs…this recipe is your golden ticket. It’s simple, cozy, and guaranteed to impress anyone who walks into your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all‑purpose flour (plus ¼ cup for dusting)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp dry active yeast
- 1 ½ cups warm water (95–105°F)
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chives, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp fresh thyme
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast. Pour in the warm water and mix thoroughly with your hands or a wooden spoon. The dough should be sticky.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest for 3–5 hours, until doubled in size with little bubbles on top. (You can even let it sit up to 18 hours for extra flavor.)
- Preheat your oven to 450°F with a Dutch oven inside. Let the Dutch oven heat for 30–40 minutes.
- Flour your hands and a flat surface, then remove the dough from the bowl. Fold it over itself 4 times, layering in the cheese and herbs with each fold. Shape into a tight ball. (See below for photo and further details)
5. Place parchment paper in your bowl, drop in the dough ball, cover with a towel, and let it rest for 20 minutes.
6. Carefully transfer the dough (with parchment) into the screaming‑hot Dutch oven. Slice the top with a sharp knife to release steam. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the lid and bake for another 15 minutes, until golden brown.
- Cool for 10 minutes, slice, and enjoy the cheesy, herby masterpiece you just created.
Final Bite
This bread is everything: crusty on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside, with herbs that make it taste like you’ve been baking for years. Serve it with soup, share it at a holiday table, or just tear off a piece and enjoy it warm with some creamy butter!
