cheddar cheese quick bread loaf

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 1 (9×5 inch) loaf
Intensity: Easy (Beginner-Friendly)

There are few smells in this world more welcoming than the aroma of fresh-baked bread. But sometimes, the thought of waiting hours for dough to rise, proof, and bake is just too much. Enter this Cheddar Cheese Quick Bread Loaf—your new best friend for when you need a savoury, cheesy loaf on the table in just over an hour. With no yeast, no kneading, and no rising time required, this recipe delivers maximum flavour with minimum fuss.

This isn’t a delicate, airy sandwich bread. It’s a rustic, hearty loaf with a gloriously golden, craggy crust and a tender, moist crumb studded with pockets of melted, sharp cheddar cheese. It’s incredibly versatile, too. Serve it warm from the oven slathered with salted butter alongside a big bowl of tomato soup or a hearty chili. It’s the perfect side for a salad, makes for an unforgettable grilled cheese sandwich the next day, or is simply divine toasted for breakfast.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. The batter comes together in one bowl with just a few pantry staples. The sharp cheddar provides a savoury depth, while a hint of mustard powder (trust us!) doesn’t make it taste like mustard but rather accentuates the cheesiness in a magical way. It’s a foolproof recipe that feels both rustic and special, and it’s guaranteed to impress anyone you share it with.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredibly Fast: No yeast means no waiting. From mixing bowl to oven in 15 minutes flat.

• Savory & Satisfying: Packed with sharp cheddar cheese for a deeply savoury flavour that’s perfect for dipping, toasting, or just eating on its own.

• Perfect Texture: Achieves that elusive combination of a crisp, golden crust and a soft, moist interior.

• One-Bowl Wonder: Minimal cleanup makes this a weeknight-friendly dream.

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

• 1 tablespoon (12g) baking powder (make sure it’s fresh!)

• 1 teaspoon (5g) granulated sugar (this helps with browning, not sweetness)

• 1/2 teaspoon (3g) salt

• 1/2 teaspoon (2g) garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon (2g) mustard powder (optional, but highly recommended for enhancing the cheese flavour)

• 1/4 teaspoon (1g) black pepper (freshly ground)

• 1 ½ cups (170g) sharp cheddar cheese, grated (plus 2-3 tablespoons extra for topping)

• 1 large egg

• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk (or buttermilk for an extra tangy loaf)

• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted (plus a little extra for greasing the pan)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep (5 minutes): Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) . Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick cooking spray. For guaranteed easy release, you can also line the pan with a strip of parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides to act as handles.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients (3 minutes): In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, garlic powder, mustard powder (if using), and black pepper. Whisking ensures the baking powder is evenly distributed, which is crucial for a good rise.

3. Add the Cheese (2 minutes): Add the 1 ½ cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese to the flour mixture. Use a fork or your fingers to toss the cheese with the flour until every shred is well-coated. This simple step prevents the cheese from sinking to the bottom of the loaf during baking.

4. Mix Wet Ingredients (2 minutes): In a separate small bowl or a large liquid measuring cup, whisk together the egg, milk, and melted butter until well combined.

5. Combine Wet and Dry (1 minute – DO NOT OVERMIX!): Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour the wet mixture into the well. Using a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon, gently fold the ingredients together. Stir just until the flour is incorporated. The batter will be thick, shaggy, and slightly lumpy. This is exactly what you want. Overmixing will develop the gluten and result in a tough, dense, and rubbery loaf.

6. Transfer to Pan (2 minutes): Scrape the thick batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly. It will be a bit bumpy. Sprinkle the reserved 2-3 tablespoons of grated cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the batter. This creates a beautiful, cheesy, crispy crust.

7. Bake the Loaf (45-55 minutes): Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes. The loaf is done when it is deep golden brown on top, a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs (no wet batter), and the internal temperature reaches about 200°F (93°C).

8. Cool and Serve (10 minutes + waiting): Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for at least 10-15 minutes. This allows the loaf to set. After 10-15 minutes, gently run a knife around the edges if needed and lift the loaf out of the pan (using parchment handles if you used them). Transfer it back to the wire rack to cool slightly more.

9. Enjoy! For the best experience, serve this bread warm. The cheese will be perfectly melty and the aroma irresistible.

Recipe Tips for Success

• Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded bagged cheese is coated with starches and anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. For the best flavour and those glorious, gooey pockets of cheese, always grate a block of sharp cheddar yourself.

• Don’t Overmix: This is the golden rule of quick breads. Mix until the flour just disappears. A few lumps are your friends.

• Check for Doneness: Ovens vary. Start checking your loaf at the 45-minute mark. If the top is browning too quickly but the center isn’t done yet, loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.

• Storage: Store any leftover bread tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Information

The following is an approximate estimate per serving, based on 1 loaf yielding 10 slices.

Hayyat

Hayyat is a talented content writer and digital marketer with expertise in SEO, social media management, and online marketing. She excels at creating impactful, data-driven content to help businesses connect with their target audience and achieve measurable outcomes.