This Bread Machine Cheese Bread recipe creates an extremely soft, fluffy bread with a chewy texture and cheesy top. This recipe yields a delicious 1.5 pound loaf that can be baked in the bread machine, a loaf pan, or on a baking sheet to create an artisan style loaf. Use cheese bread for toast, dipping into soups, and to make sandwiches.
"I got so many compliments from this!!"This bread is so good! Great flavor and fluffiness. Definitely one of the best I've ever made!!"
Table Of Contents
Bread machine cheese bread is a variation of my traditional white bread recipe and garlic bread recipe. This recipe creates a fluffy cheese bread inside with a golden brown cheesy crust. Garlic and cheese are a great combination in any recipe (like in this bacon cheddar pull apart bread) and bread machine cheese bread is no exception.
Knead and bake the loaf entirely in your bread machine or let the machine knead it for you but bake it in the oven. I enjoy baking the bread in the oven when I want to shape the loaf. Rather than end up with a large loaf the same shape and size as my breadmaker's pan, I can create a circle or oval that looks like artisan bread from the local bakery.
Not only does this artisan style bread make a delicious dipping bread, it makes a fantastic toast in the morning with hot coffee or tea. It even works as extra tasty bread for your favorite sandwich! Spread roasted garlic or roasted tomatoes on a warm slice of cheese bread and you've gotta delicious snack.
More Ways To Use Cheese Bread
- as an appetizer or dinner bread for holidays, like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
- to make a meatball parmesan sub
- to make a hot ham and cheese sandwich
- add it to charcuterie boards
- dip it into buffalo chicken dip
- to make a tomato basil mozzarella sandwich
- morning toast spread with avocado
- dip it into warm, homemade tomato sauce when eating spaghetti or white cream sauce when enjoying pasta
- make homemade breadcrumbs for breading fish or chicken
Equipment Needed
You need a bread machine, plus other tools to make baking, slicing, and storing the bread easier.
- Bread machine: I have this Cuisinart bread machine.
- Bread pan: if you're going to bake the bread in a loaf pan, pullman pans are a wise choice. There are bread pans that come with covers so the bread top stays flat and so you can easily keep it stored right in the pan.
- Bread slicer or bread knife: this Calphalon bread knife is one of the best I've used.
- Bread box: to keep the bread stored in optimal conditions. Laura's Green Kitchen boxes are my favorite!
- Bread bag: I love the look of storing bread in a reusable bag. These are also great for gifting.
Ingredients
Bread machine cheese bread uses standard bread ingredients: olive oil, bread flour, salt, and yeast. Plus 2 key ingredients: shredded cheese and minced garlic.
Cheddar cheese, asiago cheese, mozzarella, monterey jack cheese and parmesan cheese all make a wonderful cheese bread. My favorite way to make this bread is with freshly grated asiago cheese or an artisan cheddar. But use your favorite cheese. The options aren't limited!
My suggestion is to always use freshly shredded cheese, though, for the best flavor and the best melting (on the top).
While this recipe is for a 1.5 pound loaf, I've also included ingredient amounts for a larger 2 pound loaf. The 2 pound loaf must be made using the dough cycle, then baked in the oven- please do not attempt to use the white/basic bread setting when making a 2 pound loaf. It will rise too high, out of the bread maker pan and will eventually collapse.
1.5 LB
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 ¼ teaspoon yeast
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, asiago, parmesan, mozzarella or your favorite cheese
2 LB
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 4 cups bread flour
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp yeast
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese
Water should always be warmed to approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Any colder and the yeast will not activate. Any warmer and you risk killing the yeast.
Chef's Tip
Bread machine bread turning out dense? Make sure: the salt and yeast do not interact when they are added to the bread pan and that you use properly measured bread flour and fresh yeast. Never pack down flour while measuring and never use old yeast.
Recipe FAQs
While you can swap bread flour for all purpose flour or whole wheat flour, it won't produce the same soft chewy bread. For breads that need time to rise, bread flour is the best flour to use. It has a higher amount of protein and gluten, which creates a chewy, airy bread.
When substituting all purpose flour for bread flour, make a 1:1 substitution.
Substituting whole wheat flour is a bit trickier, although easy if you understand a few basic points about baking with whole wheat flour. You can see how to use whole wheat flour here.
To create a browned crust, brush the risen dough with milk, egg, or water before baking. My preference is to use milk for a golden brown, slightly crisp crust and egg for a golden brown and shiny crust.
Instant yeast, active dry yeast, and bread machine yeast are all perfectly fine to use in the bread machine. Instant yeast rises and creates flavor with 1 rise, while active dry yeast takes 2 rises. Since the white bread cycle is programmed for 2 rises, either yeast will work.
Bread machine yeast is basically the same as instant yeast, but is given a different name due to branding. It is a specially formulated instant yeast that's made to rise twice as fast as active dry yeast.
When using the different yeasts, you'll see insignificant, if any, differences in the texture or shape of cheese bread.
Step-By-Step Directions
Bread machine cheese bread is made in 4 steps, most of them hands off for you!
*If you don't have a Cuisinart machine, make sure to follow your brand's manual for the proper order to add ingredients. Some machines (not many) require proofing the yeast prior to adding it to the pan.
- Add all ingredients in the order listed to the bread maker pan. Reserve ⅓ of the cheese for the top.
- Select the basic/white bread setting. Choose the 1.5 lb loaf size and your preferred crust color. If baking in the oven, choose the dough setting. Press start and allow the machine to complete its cycle.
Now follow the steps for whether you are baking it in the bread machine or in the oven.
Baking in the Bread Machine: At the end of the last kneading cycle, remove the kneading paddle. This is optional and can also be done once the bread cools. When the bread completes it's last rise, gently brush the sides with an egg wash and top with the remaining cheese. Once the bake cycle is complete, remove the pan from the bread maker immediately. Let cool for at least 10 minutes, then carefully remove the bread from the pan. Cool completely before slicing.
Baking in the Oven: Once the dough cycle is complete, remove from the dough from the bread pan. Punch down a few times and form into your desired shape. Set on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover with a towel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Gently brush the top and sides with an egg wash and top with the remaining cheese. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 190°F. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Chef's Tip
Let bread cool completely before slicing. Put very little pressure on the knife while slicing and focus on a back and forth motion. Always use a serrated knife or a bread slicer.
Enjoy!
How To Store
Cheese bread should be stored in an airtight bread bag or bread box. It will keep for 3-4 days when stored properly.
It can be stored in the freezer for about 6 months wrapped tightly in plastic.
Recipe
Bread Machine Cheese Bread
Equipment
- bread machine
- bread knife
- bread storage bags
- wire cooling rack
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water approximately 110°F
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 ¼ tsp yeast active, instant or bread machine
- 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar, asiago, parmesan, mozzarella or your favorite cheese
Instructions
- Add all ingredients in the order listed to the bread maker pan, reserving ¼ cup of cheese for the top. *Check your brand's manual for the correct order to add ingredients if you are not using a Cuisinart bread machine. If it differs, add them in the order that your manual states.
- Select the basic/white bread setting. Choose the 1.5 lb loaf size and your preferred crust color. If baking in the oven, choose the dough setting. Press start and allow machine to run through the cycle, then follow steps below for your preferred method for baking.
- Baking in Machine: At the end of the last kneading cycle, remove the kneading paddle. This is optional and can also be done once the bread cools. When the bread completes it's last rise, gently brush the sides with an egg wash and top with the remaining cheese. Once the bake cycle is complete, remove the pan from the bread maker immediately. Let cool for at least 10 minutes, then carefully remove the bread from the pan. Cool completely before slicing.
- Baking in Oven: Once the dough cycle is complete, remove from the dough from the bread pan. Punch down a few times and form into your desired shape. Set on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover with a towel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Gently brush the top and sides with an egg wash and top with the remaining cheese. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 190°F. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Megan
This bread is SO good and so easy to make. We couldn’t stop eating it!
Betty Ripley
This is the best white bread machine bread I have made! It is delicious, moist, stays fresh in a plastic bag out of the refrigerator for 4 days so far. We love it for sandwiches & for toast. But I couldn't taste the cheese. I used extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated it myself. I added it at the beginning with all the other ingredients. What is the trick for getting it to taste cheesy? I will still make it because it is really perfect!
Kristina Tipps
Hi Betty! I am so glad you liked it! Put lots of extra cheese on top and use a good quality/brand of cheese. I find that NY cheddar cheese or Wisconsin cheddar taste the best, but from a great brand rather than a generic one. If you've already used a great cheese, try another type. Asiago and Gruyere are other strong tasting cheeses that might give you more flavor.
Henry
You are my bread hero.
She
This was delicious and perfect, thanks for sharing!
Diane
This is a great soft bread with a crispy crust. I added a few herbs with the garlic and cheese in the bread maker. I then took the dough when done and made 12 buns. Topped each with a bit of cheddar cheese and baked for 22 mins. Delicious!! Having with homemade soup for supper.
Thank you.
Anonymous
Dry minced garlic or wet? Does it matter? Jw
Kristina Tipps
You can use dried or fresh garlic.
Alicia Garrido
I had no problems whatsoever. I made this bread in my Sunbeam, 1.5 lb. cycle and came out perfect! I added 1 tbs. italian seasoning and grated 2 garlic cloves; when it beeped, I added the shredded cheddar cheese. It was delicious. Thank you!
Kel
I got a bread machine off a local “buy nothing” group and I love it. Have tried many recipes so far and this is my fav. I do the dough cycle and bake in the oven. This time I am going to add small cheese cubes before shaping for extra cheesiness.