Cheesy Dutch Oven Bread

 This is a favorite of mine. My family and friends love it and my best friend always asks if I have any made when she comes over. Lol. It is a go to and can be used with many things!

Ingredients

8 servings

3½ cups bread flour (445 g), plus more for dusting

2 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (250 g), divided

1 tablespoon kosher salt

2 cups warm water (480 mL)

1 package of instant yeast (2 1/4tsp)

(if active yeast, just use warmer water and let it sit 15-20 min longer)

1 tablespoon olive oil

Preparation

Combine the bread flour, 2 cups (200 g) of cheddar and salt. Stir well.

In a separate large bowl, combine the water and yeast. Pour the flour mixture on top of the water and use a silicone spatula to stir until the dough comes together.

 With the spatula, fold the dough around the edges of the bowl toward the middle, rotating the bowl whenever and folding a complete of 8 times. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rest in a warm place for hour, or until almost doubled in size.

 Using the spatula, fold the dough toward the middle again 8 more times. Cover with the towel and let rest for half-hour.

Add the Dutch oven and lid to the oven, with water in it, and preheat to 450˚F (230˚C) for half-hour.

 Lightly flour a clean surface and your hands. Carefully peel the dough out of the bowl and onto the floured surface. Fold the sides of the dough towards the middle 8 times, then flip the dough and transfer to parchment paper.

 Brush the dough with the vegetable oil. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup (50 g) of cheese on top. Slit the bread for steam

Carefully remove the Dutch oven from the oven, dump the water and use the parchment and lift the bread into the pot. Cover with the lid and bake for half-hour, then remove the lid and bake for 20 more minutes, until the bread is golden brown.

 Pull the parchment out with the bread out of the pot and onto a wire rack. Remove the parchment paper and let the bread cool for a minimum of 1 hour before slicing.

 Slice the bread and enjoy

Great used with Grilled Cheese

Bon Appetit