Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Sourdough Bread

5 from 66 votes

Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Sourdough Bread

Cheese sourdough bread is a flavorful homemade treat that combines the tangy goodness of sourdough with the richness of cheddar cheese and a hint of jalapeno. The sharpness of the cheese and the mild heat from the jalapeno creates a taste experience that is sure to impress.

Prep Time1

Cook Time40

Fermentation Time1

Total Time1 1 40

Course: Breakfast, Main Course

Cuisine: All

Diet: Diabetic, Vegetarian

Servings: slices or 1 loaf

Calories: 186kcal

Author: Shilpa Kerur

Equipment

Kitchen scale
Dutch oven
Mixing bowl
Bench scraper
Dough scraper
Banneton
Bread proofer
Bread lame or razor blade to score the dough
Oven mitts
Cooling rack
Bread knife

Ingredients

150 grams sourdough starter active
450 grams bread flour
325 grams filter water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup cheddar cheese cut into small cubes
½ cup jalapeno cut into small pieces
Rice flour to dust the banneton

Instructions

Make the initial dough:

Combine the active sourdough starter with water until it is fully incorporated.
Slowly add the flour and mix well making sure there are no dry bits of flour. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
Next, add the salt, cheddar cheese, and jalapeno to the dough. Mix well and incorporate them as much as possible.

Bulk Fermentation:

Perform six sets of stretch and fold at an interval of 30 minutes. With wet hands, grab a portion of the dough and slowly stretch it taking care not to break it, and fold it towards the center over the dough. Keep turning the bowl and repeat the process until all parts of the dough is covered. Carefully flip the dough and round it up. This completes one set of stretch and fold. Repeat this process six times at an interval of 30 minutes.
Let the dough sit for bulk fermentation until it is almost double and has bubbles on the top. This may take 3-4 hours depending on the ambient temperature.

Shaping and cold fermentation:

Dust a round or oval banneton well with rice flour.
Flip the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pick one side of the dough and fold it to the center. Pick the other side and fold it to the center. Now hold the dough gently and tuck it to form a log. Carefully place the dough seam-side up on the banneton.
Cover the dough loosely and place it in the refrigerator overnight for cold fermentation and final rise.

Bake the cheese sourdough bread:

The following morning, place the Dutch oven in the oven and preheat to 450 F (230 C) for 45 minutes.
Once the oven is preheated, take the dough out of the fridge. Flip it onto a parchment paper or baking sheet.
Score the dough using a blade or sharp knife.
Carefully take the Dutch oven out of the oven. Place the scored dough along with the baking paper into the hot Dutch oven and immediately close the lid.
Place it back in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
Take the lid off the Dutch oven and bake for another 15 minutes.
Turn off the oven and keep the door ajar. Let the bread sit in the oven for 15 minutes for curing.
Cool completely, slice, and serve.

Notes

All of the jalapeno and cheese cubes will not be incorporated in the first go. Don't worry about it. As you stretch and fold, they will be incorporated. Just tuck the fillings back into the dough if they pop on the surface. See here for more tips on how to handle sourdough with add-ins.

I have made this sourdough with bread flour, but you can choose any flour - for example, a combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour or multigrain flour.

The night before you plan to make the dough, take the starter from the fridge and feed it in 1:1:1 ratio of starter:flour:water. Click here to see how to activate the sourdough starter.

Nutrition