Jalapeno Cheddar Sourdough Bread (Printable)

Tangy sourdough loaded with sharp cheddar and spicy jalapeños, creating a crusty loaf perfect for sandwiches or bold table 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:

01 - In a large bowl, mix the bread flour and water until just combined. Cover and rest for 30 minutes to allow gluten development.
02 - Add the sourdough starter and salt to the dough. Mix until well incorporated and smooth.
03 - Perform stretch and fold technique 4 times over one hour, spacing folds 15 minutes apart to build dough strength.
04 - After the final fold, gently knead in the cubed cheddar cheese and chopped jalapeños until evenly distributed.
05 - Cover the dough and let rise at room temperature for 4-6 hours, until doubled in size.
06 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape into a tight round loaf and place in a floured proofing basket or bowl.
07 - Let proof, covered, for 2-4 hours at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor development.
08 - Preheat oven to 450°F with Dutch oven inside for thorough heating.
09 - Transfer dough to parchment paper and score the top with a sharp knife or lame. Place into hot Dutch oven and bake covered for 20 minutes.
10 - Uncover Dutch oven and continue baking for 20-25 minutes until deep golden brown and crusty. Internal temperature should reach 200°F.
11 - Cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing to allow crumb structure to set.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination creates this incredible sweet heat balance that keeps you coming back for just one more slice
  • Its the kind of bread that transforms a simple bowl of soup into something memorable
  • The cheese keeps it moist longer than plain sourdough, so you actually get to enjoy it for days
02 -
  • Cheese creates steam pockets that can make the dough feel wetter than usual, so don't be tempted to add more flour
  • Scoring is crucial here, or the cheese will create its own escape routes that aren't as pretty
03 -
  • Use a digital scale for flour, as measuring by volume can lead to inconsistent hydration
  • Don't skip the Dutch oven, it creates the steam environment your sourdough needs

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