Bacon, Cheese and Chive Bread

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTUh1nGPkns

BREAD MACHINE VERSION

1 1/4 cups water

3 1/4 cup6 bread flour

1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1/4 cup fresh chives

¼ cup bacon pieces

2 tbsp sugar

3I4 tsp salt

1 1/4 teaspoons bread or fast acting yeast

Pam

2 tbsp butter

Place in bread machine on dough cycle. Spray a large bowl with pam cooking spray and place dough in bowl and cover for 45 minutes or until double in size. Place risen dough on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and make into an oval shape. Cover with cloth while preheating oven to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. (About 15 to 20 min.) Brush top and sides with butter. Make a cut along the top of the dough and brush more butter into the cut. Bake for 20 to 25 min or until golden brown.

STANDMIXER VERSION

Cheddar Bacon Chive Bread (Stand Mixer Method)

Ingredients

• 1¼ cups warm water (105-110°F)

• 1¼ teaspoons bread machine or instant yeast

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 3¼ cups bread flour

• ¾ teaspoon salt

• 1¼ cups shredded cheddar cheese

• ¼ cup fresh chives, chopped

• ¼ cup bacon pieces

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for brushing)

• Nonstick cooking spray

Instructions

1. Mix the Dough

1. In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes if using active dry yeast. If using instant yeast, proceed immediately.

2. Add bread flour and salt.

3. Using the dough hook, mix on low speed until a shaggy dough forms.

4. Increase to medium-low speed and knead for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.

5. Add cheddar cheese, chives, and bacon pieces during the last minute of kneading until evenly distributed.

2. First Rise

1. Spray a large bowl with cooking spray.

2. Place dough in the bowl and turn once to coat.

3. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap.

4. Let rise 45 to 60 minutes, or until doubled in size.

3. Shape the Loaf

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Gently deflate the dough and shape it into an oval loaf.

3. Place on the prepared baking sheet.

4. Cover with a clean towel and let rise another 20 to 30 minutes while the oven preheats.

4. Bake

1. Preheat oven to 360°F.

2. Brush the loaf with half of the melted butter.

3. Using a sharp knife, make a long slash down the center of the loaf.

4. Brush a little butter into the cut.

5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190-200°F.

5. Finish

Brush the hot loaf with the remaining melted butter immediately after removing it from the oven.

🍞 For even more flavor, sprinkle a little extra shredded cheddar on top during the last 5 minutes of baking. The cheese will form golden, crispy pockets that make the loaf taste like a bakery-style cheddar biscuit crossed with artisan bread.