Jalapeno Cheese Bread

I just love this recipe for Jalapeno Cheese Bread! It is fairly easy to make, so it is perfect for even the most beginner of bread makers. And it makes one loaf at a time - which is great if you're like me, and LOVE to eat fresh baked bread still warm from the oven. 

This bread comes out with a nice crispy crust, and stays beautifully soft and fluffy inside. It's perfect sliced up for sandwiches, or buttered and served alongside your favorite meal. It goes well with soups or stews - or just gobble it up by itself straight out of the oven! Either way, you'll want to make this bread again and again. 

This recipe, as listed, yields a good flavored bread that doesn't pack a lot of heat. The little ones in our house don't like foods that are very spicy, so I made a family friendly version. If you prefer a little more kick, just increase the amount of Jalapenos as desired.
   
 Printable Recipe 

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup Warm (100-110 degrees F) Water
• 1 package Active Dry Yeast
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 1/2 Tbs Sugar
• 1 Tbs Vegetable Shortening
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 3 cups Flour (approximately)
• 1/2 cup Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend (or any cheese you prefer)
• 1/4 cup Jalapeno Relish or Diced Pickled Jalapenos (more if you want it spicier)
• 1 Tbs Garlic Powder        

Method:

• Pour the warm water into a large bowl. Stir in the yeast until dissolved.
• Add the salt, sugar, shortening, and milk to the bowl and stir.
• Mix in 2 cups of the flour, the cheese, jalapenos and garlic powder.
• Begin adding more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough chases the spoon around the bowl. (The amount of flour that you need will vary depending on many factors such as the weather, etc. That is why the amount listed is only an approximation.)
• Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead, adding small amounts of flour as needed until dough is no longer sticky.
• Put dough into a buttered bowl. Flip dough over so that the top is oiled too. Cover loosely with sprayed plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for at least 1 hour - or until doubled in size. (It is winter, so I placed a small heater near the dough.)
• Punch down the dough, and turn out onto a floured surface and knead again.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare a loaf pan by buttering it, or spraying it with cooking spray.
• Form dough into a loaf and place into prepared pan. cover with the sprayed plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot, until it evens out in the pan and makes a nice looking loaf - about 30 minutes to an hour. (Again, it's winter & if you provide a heat source you may need to rotate the pan to get a consistent rise.) 
• Score the dough with a sharp knife, three times across the top. 
• Put into the preheated oven and cook for 35-45 minutes, or until crust is your desired brownness.
• Remove bread from the pan and let cool on a wire rack.
• Slice, serve, and enjoy!