Description
This Asiago Cheese Bread recipe creates a deliciously soft and savory artisan loaf with a golden crust topped with shredded Asiago cheese. Perfect for sandwiches or served warm with soup, this homemade bread combines the nutty flavor of Asiago cheese with a tender crumb, offering a delightful Italian-American twist to classic bread baking.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups bread flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 ½ cups shredded Asiago cheese (divided)
Topping
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (optional, for brushing)
Instructions
- Activate yeast: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating that the yeast is active.
- Mix dough: Add olive oil, salt, and 3 cups of the bread flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then fold in 1 cup of shredded Asiago cheese. Gradually add the remaining flour until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
- Knead dough: Knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface or using a dough hook attachment on low speed for 8–10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape dough: Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a round or oval loaf and transfer it onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise again for 30–40 minutes.
- Prepare for baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Just before baking, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded Asiago cheese evenly over the top of the loaf. Using a sharp knife, make a few shallow slashes on the surface of the bread.
- Bake: Bake the loaf for 30–35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Finish and cool: Optional: brush the warm loaf with melted butter to achieve a softer crust and enhanced flavor. Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- For a stronger, more complex flavor, use aged Asiago cheese.
- To add extra flavor, incorporate herbs such as rosemary or garlic powder into the dough.
- This bread is excellent for making sandwiches or is delicious served warm alongside soups.
