🧀 Cheesy Herb Bread Loaf
📖 Description
This golden, bubbly cheese bread is rich, savory, and packed with flavor. A soft, fluffy loaf is topped with melted cheese and fresh herbs, creating a dish that’s perfect for dinner parties, brunch, or just a cozy family meal. The best part? It takes only about 10 minutes of prep before baking.
🥖 Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar/lemon juice)
- ¼ cup melted butter (plus extra for brushing)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or mix of cheddar & mozzarella)
- 2 tbsp fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley), chopped
- Optional: pinch of chili flakes for a little kick
🍞 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a loaf pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients. Fold in 1 cup cheese and half the herbs.
- Pour batter into loaf pan. Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup cheese and herbs.
- Bake for 35–45 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Brush top with melted butter before serving.
📝 Notes
- You can swap herbs for dried Italian seasoning if fresh isn’t available.
- For extra cheesiness, mix in cream cheese cubes or top with Gruyère.
- This bread reheats beautifully—wrap in foil and warm in oven.
💡 Tips
- Don’t overmix the batter; it keeps the loaf fluffy.
- Use a mix of sharp cheddar + mozzarella for best flavor and gooeyness.
- Add chopped jalapeños, bacon bits, or olives for variety.
🍽 Servings
- Makes 8–10 slices (1 standard loaf pan).
🔢 Nutritional Info (per slice, approx.)
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 8g
- Carbs: 22g
- Fat: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
🌟 Benefits
- Quick & Easy → Ready in under an hour.
- Customizable → Works with many cheeses, herbs, or add-ins.
- Comfort Food → Soft, cheesy, and satisfying.
- Great for sharing → Perfect side for soups, salads, or dinner spreads.
❓ Q & A
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Q: Can I freeze it?
A: Absolutely. Wrap in foil and freeze up to 2 months. Reheat in oven.
Q: Can I make muffins instead of a loaf?
A: Yes! Bake in a muffin tin at 350°F for 18–20 minutes.
Q: What dishes pair well with this?
A: Soups (tomato, chicken noodle), pasta dishes, or even as a breakfast toast.