Sausage Cheese Bread

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Additional Time

1 hour (proofing)

Total Time

1 hour 50 minutes

Servings

8 slices

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 standard packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water (110°F-115°F)
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 pound Italian or breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled

Steps to Cook

1. In a large bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
2. Add the flour, salt, sugar, and softened butter to the yeast mixture. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle, approximately 12x8 inches.
6. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled sausage evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
7. Starting from the short side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam and the ends to seal.
8. Place the rolled dough, seam-side down, in a lightly greased 9x5-inch loaf pan.
9. Cover the loaf with a clean kitchen towel and let rise for an additional 30 minutes.
10. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
11. Bake the loaf for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
12. Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
13. Transfer the loaf to a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing.

Cook’s Note

• For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure the sausage is cooked through before adding it to the dough.
• If you prefer a more pronounced sausage flavor, you can increase the amount of sausage to 3/4 pound.
• Experiment with different types of cheese, such as Pepper Jack or Provolone, for a twist on the classic cheddar.
• Serve slices of the sausage cheese bread warm, or at room temperature, as a delicious accompaniment to soups, stews, or as a snack.

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