Servings & Timing
Servings: 8–10 slices
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 45–55 minutes
Cooling Time: 10–15 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients List
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
- ½ tsp onion powder (optional)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped (optional)
Cheese
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
(or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar) - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
Instructions
1. Prep the Oven & Pan
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and rosemary
3. Add Cheese
- Stir the shredded cheddar into the dry ingredients until evenly coated.
(This helps prevent the cheese from sinking.)
4. Mix Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs.
- Add buttermilk and melted butter. Mix until smooth.
5. Combine
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients.
- Stir gently until just combined — do not overmix.
6. Bake
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool & Serve
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Slice and serve warm.
Additional Notes
- Don’t overmix — this keeps the bread tender.
- If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil for the last 10 minutes.
- Fresh herbs give the best flavor, but dried work perfectly.
Flavor Tips & Variations
- Extra Cheesy: Add ½ cup mozzarella or Parmesan
- Spicy: Add chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes
- Herb Swap: Try chives, parsley, or Italian seasoning
- Garlic Lover: Add 1 minced garlic clove
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with soups or stews
- Toast slices with butter
- Use for savory sandwiches
- Pair with eggs for breakfast
Storage & Make-Ahead
- Room Temperature: 2 days, wrapped tightly
- Refrigerator: Up to 5 days
- Freezer: Slice and freeze up to 2 months
