Jalapeno Cheddar Sourdough Bread (Printable)

Tangy sourdough infused with sharp cheddar and spicy jalapeños for a bold, crusty loaf.

# 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

# Directions:

01 - Combine bread flour and water in a large bowl, mixing until just incorporated. Cover the bowl and let rest for 30 minutes to allow flour hydration.
02 - Add sourdough starter and sea salt to the dough. Mix thoroughly until fully integrated and dough begins to develop structure.
03 - Perform stretch and fold technique four times at 15-minute intervals over one hour. Grab one edge of dough, stretch upward, and fold over center. Rotate bowl and repeat.
04 - After final stretch and fold, gently work cubed cheddar and chopped jalapeños into dough until evenly distributed.
05 - Cover dough and allow to rise at room temperature for 4 to 6 hours, or until doubled in volume. Dough should show bubbles and increased volume.
06 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Shape into tight round by folding edges toward center, creating surface tension. Place in floured proofing basket seam-side up.
07 - Cover and proof for 2 to 4 hours at room temperature, or refrigerate overnight for enhanced flavor development.
08 - Position Dutch oven in oven and preheat to 450°F for at least 30 minutes to ensure thorough heat penetration.
09 - Lift dough onto parchment paper using proofing basket. Score top of loaf with sharp knife or lame, then transfer into preheated Dutch oven.
10 - Bake with lid on for 20 minutes to create steam and oven spring.
11 - Remove lid and continue baking 20 to 25 minutes until deep golden brown and crust sounds hollow when tapped.
12 - Transfer loaf to wire rack and cool for minimum 1 hour before slicing to allow internal crumb to set.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The contrast between tangy sourdough and sharp cheddar creates something incredibly addictive
  • Fresh jalapeños add just enough heat to make each slice interesting without overwhelming your palate
  • This bread transforms ordinary soup night into something that feels like a special occasion
02 -
  • Cheese creates steam pockets in the crumb, so don't panic if your bread has some irregular holes throughout
  • Jalapeños can make the dough slightly stickier than regular sourdough, so keep a little extra flour handy when shaping
  • The cheese will leak during baking and create dark spots on the crust, which is completely normal and actually quite delicious
03 -
  • If your jalapeños seem particularly mild, leave in a few seeds for extra heat
  • Room temperature ingredients create more consistent fermentation than cold ones

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