Cheese-Batter-Bread

I always like to check the package of certain ingredients where they suggest recipes. That is how I came across this Cheese-Batter-Bread, it was written at the back of one of my Fleischmann's yeast packets. Generally speaking, I can quickly judge a recipe by it's ingredients and method and decide if it's worth trying. The taste judgement I always hold off on until the dish is finished cooking, although regular cooks will tell you, judging from the ingredients, one gets an idea of how something is going to taste.

The ingredients for this bread were straight forward and so was the method. We get really delicious cheddar cheese here that comes primarily from New Zealand and England so I knew right there and then that this bread would be a winner. I've been making it now for more than 5 years and it never fails to impress when served for breakfast, brunch or just before dinner. The great thing about it also is that it is not necessary to eat it with anything and it becomes gourmet when used to make a sandwich.

Recipe - Cheese Batter Bread

Yields 2 loaves

Ingredients

4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 tbsp granulated sugar
2 envelopes rapid rise yeast (instant yeast)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 cup whole milk
1 cup water
2 tbsp butter or margarine
1 large egg

Method

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
2. In a large bowl, combine 1 1/3 cups flour, cheese, sugar, un-dissolved yeast and salt
3. Combine milk, water and butter and heat until very warm
4. Gradually stir the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients
5. Mix for 2 mins at medium speed of your electric mixer, or by hand
6. Add the egg and 1 cup flour
7. Mix thoroughly at high speed (stir faster by hand)
8. Stir in the remaining flour to make a stiff batter
9. Cover batter and let rest for 10 mins
10. Turn the rested batter into two greased 9 x 5 loaf pans
11. Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size
12. Bake in oven for 20 - 25 mins or until done
13. Remove from pan after 5 mins and cool on a wire rack