Jalapeño Cheddar Bread

by

Satisfy your cravings with a delightful blend of spice and cheese in every bite of this Jalapeño Cheddar Bread. Whether you’re starting your day with a flavorful breakfast or enjoying it as a savory snack, this bread is bound to tickle your taste buds with its moist texture and bold flavors. Follow this easy recipe to bake up a loaf that’s sure to impress your family and friends.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ⅓ cup vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 jalapeño peppers (seeded and diced)
  • ½ cup diced green bell pepper
  • ½ cup diced red bell pepper

Directions:

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease or spray an 8×3 inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the dry ingredients and gently toss to coat the cheese evenly.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole milk, vegetable or canola oil, and egg until well combined.
  4. Mix the Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the well in the center of the dry ingredients. Stir lightly with a wooden spoon until just combined. The batter should be lumpy.
  5. Add Peppers: Fold in the diced jalapeño, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  6. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden-brown and springs back when touched in the center.
  7. Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then carefully remove it from the pan. Serve warm and enjoy the spicy, cheesy goodness!

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 45-50 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Servings: 1 loaf

Serving and Storage Tips:

  1. Serve Warm: For the best flavor and texture, enjoy the Jalapeño Cheddar Bread while it’s still warm from the oven. The melted cheese and spicy peppers are at their most delicious when freshly baked.
  2. Store Properly: Once cooled, store any leftover bread in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate the bread for up to 1 week.
  3. Reheat: To reheat slices of bread, wrap them in foil and warm them in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave individual slices for 20-30 seconds.
  4. Freeze for Later: If you want to extend the shelf life of your bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before freezing. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  5. Serve with Spreads: Enhance the flavor of your Jalapeño Cheddar Bread by serving it with spreads like butter, cream cheese, or garlic herb spread. The creamy texture of the spreads complements the spicy kick of the bread.
  6. Pair with Soups or Salads: This bread makes a great accompaniment to soups, salads, or chili. Its cheesy, spicy flavor adds a delicious contrast to lighter dishes.
  7. Slice Thinly for Appetizers: For a party or gathering, slice the bread thinly and toast it to make crispy crostini. Top with your favorite toppings like tomato bruschetta or avocado spread for elegant appetizers.
  8. Enjoy as Breakfast Toast: Toast slices of Jalapeño Cheddar Bread and serve with scrambled eggs or avocado for a flavorful breakfast or brunch option.
  9. Make Croutons: Cut stale bread into cubes, toss with olive oil and seasonings, and bake until crispy to make homemade croutons for salads or soups.
  10. Creative Sandwiches: Use slices of Jalapeño Cheddar Bread to make gourmet sandwiches with grilled chicken, bacon, lettuce, and tomato for a spicy twist on a classic favorite.

Variations:

  1. Chipotle Cheddar Bread: Replace the jalapeños with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky, spicy flavor profile.
  2. Pepper Jack Bread: Substitute half of the cheddar cheese with pepper jack cheese for an extra kick of heat.
  3. Garlic Herb Bread: Add minced garlic and chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro to the batter for a savory twist.
  4. Cheesy Bacon Bread: Mix crispy cooked bacon pieces into the batter along with the cheese for a decadent, savory treat.
  5. Sun-Dried Tomato Bread: Fold chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the batter for a burst of sweet and tangy flavor.
  6. Green Chile Cornbread: Replace the diced peppers with canned green chiles and add canned corn kernels for a Southwestern-inspired twist.
  7. Italian Herb Bread: Add dried Italian seasoning blend or chopped fresh herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme to the batter for an Italian flavor profile.
  8. Maple Bacon Bread: Incorporate cooked, crumbled bacon and a drizzle of maple syrup into the batter for a sweet and savory combination.
  9. Three Cheese Bread: Use a combination of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses for a rich and gooey three-cheese bread.
  10. Spicy Ranch Bread: Mix in a packet of dry ranch seasoning mix and a dash of hot sauce to the batter for a zesty, spicy twist.

FAQs:

  1. Can I use a different type of cheese in this bread recipe? Yes, you can experiment with different types of cheese such as mozzarella, pepper jack, or Gouda to customize the flavor of the bread.
  2. How can I adjust the spiciness level of the bread? To make the bread milder, reduce the amount of jalapeños or remove the seeds and membranes before dicing them. For a spicier bread, leave the seeds and membranes intact or add extra jalapeños.
  3. Can I make this bread without eggs? Yes, you can omit the egg from the recipe if you prefer. The bread may be slightly denser without the egg, but it will still be delicious.
  4. Is this bread suitable for vegetarians? Yes, this Jalapeño Cheddar Bread is vegetarian-friendly as it does not contain any meat products.
  5. Can I use gluten-free flour in this recipe? Yes, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend as a substitute for regular flour to make this bread gluten-free.
  6. How should I store leftover bread? Store any leftover bread in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to maintain freshness. Refrigerate for longer shelf life.
  7. Can I freeze this bread? Yes, you can freeze the bread for future use. Wrap it securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing.
  8. What dishes pair well with Jalapeño Cheddar Bread? This bread pairs well with soups, salads, chili, grilled meats, or enjoyed on its own as a savory snack.
  9. Can I make mini muffins with this batter? Yes, you can pour the batter into greased mini muffin tins and bake for a shorter time to make bite-sized Jalapeño Cheddar Bread muffins.
  10. How long does this bread stay fresh? When stored properly, this bread will stay fresh for up to 2 days at room temperature or up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

With its irresistible combination of jalapeño heat and cheddar cheese richness, this Jalapeño Cheddar Bread is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re serving it fresh out of the oven for breakfast or slicing it up for a party snack, this bread is sure to be a hit. Try it out today and savor the delicious flavors in every slice!