Jalapeno Cheddar Sourdough Bread (Printable Version)

Tangy sourdough packed with sharp cheddar and fresh jalapeños for a bold, spicy twist on classic bread.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sourdough Base

01 - 4 cups bread flour
02 - 1/2 cup active sourdough starter (100% hydration)
03 - 1 1/2 cups water (room temperature)
04 - 2 teaspoons sea salt

→ Fillings

05 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
06 - 2 medium jalapeños, deseeded and finely chopped

# How To Make It:

01 - Mix bread flour and water in a large bowl until just combined. Cover and rest for 30 minutes to allow flour hydration.
02 - Add sourdough starter and sea salt to the dough. Mix thoroughly until fully incorporated.
03 - Perform stretch and fold technique four times over one hour, repeating every 15 minutes to build gluten strength.
04 - After the final fold, gently work cheddar cubes and chopped jalapeños into the dough until evenly distributed.
05 - Cover dough and let rise at room temperature for 4-6 hours until doubled in size.
06 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Shape into a round loaf and place in a floured proofing basket or bowl.
07 - Cover and proof for 2-4 hours at room temperature, or refrigerate overnight for enhanced flavor development.
08 - Preheat oven to 450°F with Dutch oven inside for optimal steam baking.
09 - Transfer dough to parchment paper, score the top, and place in preheated Dutch oven. Bake covered for 20 minutes.
10 - Remove lid and continue baking for 20-25 minutes until deep golden brown with crispy crust.
11 - Transfer loaf to wire rack and cool for at least 1 hour before slicing to ensure proper texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cheese creates these incredible molten pockets throughout the crumb that make every bite different from the last
  • That slow fermented sourdough tang balances perfectly with spicy jalapeño heat
  • Your kitchen will smell absolutely intoxicating while this bakes
02 -
  • Cold retard in the refrigerator develops deeper flavor and makes the dough easier to handle during shaping
  • The Dutch oven creates a steamy environment that gives you that professional bakery style crust
  • Wait until the bread is completely cool before slicing or the texture will suffer
03 -
  • If your dough feels slack after adding the fillings, do an extra set of stretch and folds to rebuild strength
  • A longer cold proof in the refrigerator makes shaping much easier and develops more complex flavor

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