Very Soft & Fluffy Cheese & Onion Bread Recipe
Introduction
This very soft and fluffy cheese and onion bread is a delightful treat perfect for any time of the day. Combining the sweetness of caramelized onions with the richness of cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, this bread offers a comforting and flavorful experience that’s sure to become a favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 medium white onion, roughly chopped (around 120g)
- 400g bread flour
- 6g bread improver
- 20g milk powder
- 8g salt
- 40g sugar
- 8g instant dry yeast
- 240g cold water
- 40g unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 12g Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg glaze)
- 80g Cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat oil in a pan and fry the chopped onion until softened and slightly browned. Set aside to cool.
- Step 2: Using a dough hook, blend together the bread flour, bread improver, milk powder, salt, sugar, and instant dry yeast on low speed for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Add cold water and continue mixing on low speed for 1 minute. Then increase to medium speed and mix for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Add softened butter and continue mixing on low speed for 7 to 10 minutes until the dough is formed.
- Step 5: Add the fried onion and grated Parmesan cheese and mix on low speed for 1 minute until evenly combined.
- Step 6: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and shape into a round. Place it in an airtight container and leave to rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Step 7: Divide the dough into 7 equal portions (around 40g each). Shape each into a smooth ball. Place one ball in the center of a greased baking tray and arrange the remaining balls around it. Leave to proof for 1 hour.
- Step 8: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
- Step 9: Brush the buns with beaten egg glaze and sprinkle grated Cheddar cheese on top.
- Step 10: Bake for 18 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on a rack for 15 minutes before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, try adding finely chopped herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough.
- Substitute Cheddar with Gruyère or mozzarella for a different cheesy twist.
- If you don’t have bread improver, you can omit it, but the texture may be slightly less fluffy.
- Make sure the onion is well cooled before adding to the dough to prevent killing the yeast.
Storage
Store the bread in an airtight container or bread box at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the bread after baking and cooling. To reheat, thaw at room temperature and warm in a 180-degree Celsius oven for 5 to 10 minutes until fresh and soft.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use this recipe without a stand mixer?
Yes, you can mix the dough by hand. Combine the dry ingredients, add water and butter, then knead the dough for 10 to 15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Why is the dough left to rise twice?
The first rise allows the dough to develop flavor and double in size, while the second rise (proofing) after shaping ensures the buns become soft, airy, and fluffy when baked.
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Very Soft & Fluffy Cheese & Onion Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 38 minutes
- Yield: 7 buns 1x
Description
This Very Soft & Fluffy Cheese & Onion Bread is a delicious homemade bread featuring a tender crumb infused with sautéed onions and Parmesan, topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect as a savory snack or alongside meals, these fluffy buns offer a rich flavor and satisfyingly soft texture.
Ingredients
For the Onion
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 medium white onion, roughly chopped (about 120g)
For the Dough
- 400g bread flour
- 6g bread improver
- 20g milk powder
- 8g salt
- 40g sugar
- 8g instant dry yeast
- 240g cold water
- 40g unsalted butter, softened (room temperature)
- 12g Parmesan cheese, grated
Topping
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg glaze)
- 80g Cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions
- Sauté the Onions: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the roughly chopped white onion and fry until the onions are softened and slightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine bread flour, bread improver, milk powder, salt, sugar, and instant dry yeast. Mix on low speed for 1 minute to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Add Water and Mix: Pour in the cold water and continue mixing on low speed for another 1 minute. Then increase the speed to medium and mix for 5 minutes to develop the dough.
- Incorporate Butter: Add the softened unsalted butter to the dough. Mix on low speed for 7 to 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and well-formed.
- Add Onions and Parmesan: Add the cooled fried onions and grated Parmesan cheese into the dough. Mix on low speed for 1 minute until they are evenly incorporated.
- First Proof: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and shape it into a round. Place the dough in an airtight container and let it rise for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Divide and Shape: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into seven equal portions, about 40g each. Shape each piece into a smooth ball. Arrange the balls in a greased baking tray with one ball in the center and the others surrounding it.
- Second Proof: Cover the tray and let the dough balls proof for 1 hour until puffed and nearly doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).
- Apply Glaze and Cheese: Brush the tops of the proofed dough balls with the beaten egg glaze, then sprinkle grated cheddar cheese generously over each bun.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown on top.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the buns from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Allow them to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the onions are cooled before adding them to the dough to avoid killing the yeast.
- The bread improver helps improve the dough elasticity and texture but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Use cold water to control dough temperature and fermentation.
- Softened unsalted butter should be at room temperature for easy incorporation.
- The arrangement of the dough balls in the baking tray helps create pull-apart style bread.
- Adjust baking time slightly if your oven runs hotter or cooler to avoid over or under baking.
- Allow bread to cool to develop flavor and prevent it from becoming soggy when sliced.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
Keywords: cheese bread, onion bread, soft bread, fluffy bread, homemade bread, savory buns
