Published May 1, 2004.
In developing a subtly balanced cheese bread recipe, we used whole milk and sour cream for creamy flavor and moisture and just 3 tablespoons of butter for richness without greasiness. A single egg gave structure to the bread without adding an overly eggy flavor. As for the cheese, we mixed small chunks (rather than shreds) into the dough and found that just 4 ounces provided plenty of flavor without weighing down our cheese bread recipe.
If using Asiago, choose a mild supermarket cheese that yields to pressure when pressed. Aged Asiago that is as firm as Parmesan is too sharp and piquant for this bread. If, when testing the bread for doneness, the toothpick comes out with what looks like uncooked batter clinging to it, try again in a different—but still central—spot; if the toothpick hits a pocket of cheese, it may give a false reading. The texture of the bread improves as it cools, so resist the urge to slice the loaf while it is piping hot. Leftover cheese bread is excellent toasted; toast slices in a toaster oven or on a baking sheet in a 425-degree oven for 5 to 10 minutes, not in a conventional toaster, where bits of cheese may melt, burn, and make a mess. Our cheese bread is best made with whole milk, but it will taste fine if you have only 2 percent milk on hand. Do not use skim milk.
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