Sourdough cheddar and jalapeno bread step-by-step recipe with photos.
Jump to:
About this recipe
The slight tang from the sourdough when combined with cheesy goodness and jalapeno makes a bread that is so divine. The classic combination of cheese and jalapeno make bread you will not forget. This bread cannot be missed for so many reasons – crusty, soft interior, sharpness from the cheese, and spiciness from the jalapeno.
I have shared earlier how to make the no-knead sourdough bread. This bread is a slight variation of the same with the addition of cheddar cheese and jalapeno. The cheesy goodness combined with a spicy kick from jalapeno, when baked in the naturally leavened bread, tastes so delicious.
Ingredients and variations
Sourdough starter: Make sure the starter is active and bubbly.
Bread flour: I use bread flour to make this bread; however, you can choose any flour – for example, a combination of plain flour and whole wheat flour.
Cheddar cheese: Cut the cheese into small cubes and add to the dough. I prefer using cheese cubes and not shredded cheese.
Jalapeno: I used fresh jalapeno; however you may replace it with pickled jalapeno too. Remove the seeds and cut them into small pieces.
Storing sourdough cheddar and jalapeno bread
This bread can be stored like any other sourdough bread. It stays fresh at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keep the bread wrapped in a cotton bag or a clean tea towel once the bread completely cools down. On the day you slice the bread, keep the cut side down on the board and cover it with a clean tea towel. From the next day onwards, place it in a bread box or air-tight container.
If you plan to store it beyond 3-4 days, it is best to freeze it. You can either freeze it as a whole or you can slice and freeze it. Thaw the bread overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature. You can freeze it for up to three months.
Few things to remember when making sourdough cheddar and jalapeno bread
- The amount of jalapeno I added to this recipe gives a strong flavour to the dish. You can adjust this as per your preference.
- Make sure you cut the cheese into small cubes. If they are too big, they can be difficult to handle during stretch and fold.
- Handle the dough carefully while doing stretch and fold, given the cheese cubes and jalapeno may make it slightly tricky to handle.
- Make sure the starter is active. The night before you plan to make the dough, take the starter from the fridge and feed it in 1:1:1 ratio of starter:flour:water. See the detailed process here.
- It is important to note that the time taken for the starter to activate depends on many factors. For example, the ambient temperature, the nature of the starter itself, etc. If your starter activates at a much faster rate, you can activate it the same day you are making the dough. Or, you can use either less starter or cold water to slow down the activation.
- I have made this sourdough with bread flour, but you can choose any flour – example, a combination of plain flour and whole wheat flour.
Sourdough cheddar and jalapeno bread step-by-step recipe with photos
1. Combine starter and water. Add flour, mix well and let it rest
2. Add salt, cheddar cheese cubes, and jalapeno
3. Bring together to form the dough
4. Gently pull the dough to perform stretch and fold
5. Continue to stretch and fold at 30 minutes interval
6. Let the dough sit for bulk fermentation
7. Dough after bulk fermentation
8. To shape the dough, pick both the sides of the dough and bring to center
9. Roll it to form a log
10. Place in a well-dusted kitchen towel for cold proofing
11. Next morning remove the dough from the fridge and score it once the oven is preheated. Place in the hot dutch oven and bake with the lid on
12. Next bake without the lid
13. Cool it completely before slicing
Sourdough Cheddar and Jalapeno Bread
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Leave a Reply