Italian Cheese Artisan Bread

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This homemade, crusty Italian Cheese Artisan Bread requires little work and comes out perfect every time. Ready in just a few hours!

While store-bought bread is often an easy go-to, homemade bread is truly the best thing! It smells wonderful, tastes delicious, and will save you tons of money!

It's hard to beat a slice of freshly baked bread, slathered in butter or dipped in my Spicy Olive Oil Bread Dip.

This new recipe for Italian Cheese Artisan Bread is made with simple ingredients, and sure to be a new favorite in my lineup of artisan breads. Check out more below:

• Easy Gluten Free Artisan Bread
• Cinnamon Raisin Artisan Bread
• Honey Oat Artisan Bread
• Gluten Free Garlic Rosemary Artisan Bread
• Jalapeno Cheddar Artisan Bread

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED?

• 3 ½ cups bread flour
• 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 ½ cups Italian cheese blend + additional for topping
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 packet instant yeast (2 ¼ tsp)

should i preheat the dutch oven before baking?

Yes, you should place your Dutch Oven in your oven as it preheats. The hot Dutch Oven will help trap in steam, making the crust of the loaf extra crispy and golden brown.

HOW DO I MAKE ITALIAN CHEESE ARTISAN BREAD?

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, cheese and Italian seasoning.

Heat the water in your microwave for approximately 30 seconds - 1 minute. Add yeast and sugar to the water and stir. Let sit for about 10 minutes, or until it starts to become active and foamy.

Pour the yeast water into the flour mixture. Stir it all together using a rubber spoon or spatula. Then fold the dough (using the spatula) in on itself 6-8 times.  Cover and let rise for 1 hour. 

After 1 hr., lightly dust your counter with additional flour. Place the dough on the counter and fold the dough a few more times until a ball is formed. Cover and let rise for another 45 minutes. 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. (with the Dutch oven inside). 

Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper. Top with additional shredded cheese. Then carefully remove the Dutch oven from the hot oven. Place the parchment paper & bread inside of the Dutch oven, cover and bake for 30 minutes. 

Remove lid and bake for another 8-10 minutes. 

After baking, remove pot from the oven and let the bread cool completely on a wire rack. (Do not slice the bread until it has completely cooled).

I am a HUGE fan of homemade bread. Whether it's gluten free for me, or regular bread for the rest of my family, I love trying out new recipes. Leave a comment below, and let me know what you think!

Italian Cheese Artisan Bread

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Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups bread flour
• 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 ½ cups Italian cheese blend + additional for topping
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 packet instant yeast (2 ¼ tsp)

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, cheese and Italian seasoning.
2. Heat the water in your microwave for approximately 30 seconds - 1 minute. Add yeast and sugar to the water and stir. Let sit for about 10 minutes, or until it starts to become active and foamy.
3. Pour the yeast water into the flour mixture. Stir it all together using a rubber spoon or spatula. Then fold the dough (using the spatula) in on itself 6-8 times.  Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
4. After 1 hr., lightly dust your counter with additional flour. Place the dough on the counter and fold the dough a few more times until a ball is formed. Cover and let rise for another 45 minutes. 
5. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. (with the Dutch oven inside). 
6. Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper. Top with additional shredded cheese. Then carefully remove the Dutch oven from the hot oven. Place the parchment paper & bread inside of the Dutch oven, cover and bake for 30 minutes. 
7. Remove lid and bake for another 8-10 minutes. 
8. After baking, remove pot from the oven and let the bread cool completely on a wire rack.