Description
Caramelized Onion Cheddar Bread Savory Artisan Loaf is a rustic, hearty bread combining sweet, golden caramelized onions with sharp cheddar cheese in a tender, chewy crumb and crusty exterior. Perfect for any meal or snack, this artisan loaf offers bold, gourmet flavors with simple steps for homemade comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 pinch of sugar (for yeast activation)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (around 110°F / 43°C)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for cooking onions and greasing)
Flavor Additions
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Slice onions thinly and cook over low heat in a bit of olive oil, stirring frequently for about 25-30 minutes until they become golden brown and sweetly fragrant.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, mix warm water with active dry yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let it activate for 5-10 minutes until foamy. Add flour, salt, olive oil, caramelized onions, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, ensuring cheddar and onions are evenly distributed without squeezing out too much cheese.
- First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
- Shape and Second Rise: Punch down dough gently, shape into a round loaf, transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Optionally score the loaf top for decoration. Bake for 25-30 minutes until crust is golden and loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the loaf cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to allow the crumb to set and avoid gumminess.
Notes
- Caramelize onions low and slow to develop deep sweetness without burning.
- Use good quality sharp cheddar for best flavor and melt.
- Use only the necessary flour to keep the crumb moist and tender.
- Allow bread to cool fully before slicing to lock in moisture.
- Try different scoring patterns for an artisan look.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of loaf)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: caramelized onion bread, cheddar bread, artisan loaf, savory bread, homemade bread, caramelized onion cheddar loaf
