Cottage Cheese Bread: Soft, Fluffy Homemade Loaf

Cottage Cheese Bread
There’s an undeniable magic that fills your kitchen the moment a loaf of bread starts to bake, a warm, comforting aroma that instantly transports you to a happier place. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the idea of baking bread from scratch, this Cottage Cheese Bread recipe is about to completely transform your perspective, making you wonder why you ever hesitated. It truly is a revelation in the world of homemade baking!
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!I still vividly remember my skepticism the first time I heard about using cottage cheese in bread; it seemed so unconventional! But that first bite revealed an unbelievably soft, tender crumb with a delicate, subtle tang that instantly made me a lifelong believer. It quickly became a cherished family favorite, even surpassing our beloved Amish White Bread recipe in terms of everyday simplicity and forgiving nature for new bakers.
This Cottage Cheese Bread isn’t just a loaf of bread; it’s a warm hug in sliced form, perfect for morning toast, hearty sandwiches, or simply slathered with butter. The joy of pulling a golden, perfectly baked loaf of Cottage Cheese Bread out of your own oven is an experience I truly can’t wait for you to discover, and for even more inspiration on this wonderful technique, you can explore other fantastic versions like this Cottage Cheese Bread recipe too.
Cottage Cheese Bread: Soft, Fluffy Homemade Loaf
Course: BreadsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcalThis Cottage Cheese Bread recipe yields an incredibly soft, moist, and subtly tangy loaf that’s perfect for toast, sandwiches, or simply slathered with butter. The cottage cheese creates an unbelievably tender crumb and a beautiful golden crust, making homemade bread baking a joy.
Ingredients
1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 cup cottage cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for the dough)
1 teaspoon salt
3.5 – 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
Optional: 1 egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water) for a shinier crust
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Stir in the room temperature cottage cheese, melted butter, 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt into the yeast mixture.
- Gradually add 3 cups of flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes, gradually adding up to 1/2 cup more flour as needed, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place it into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Cover the loaf pan loosely with plastic wrap and let rise again for 30-45 minutes, or until nearly doubled.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). If desired, brush the top of the loaf with egg wash for a golden, shiny crust.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200-210°F (93-99°C).
- Remove bread from the pan immediately and cool on a wire rack completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Room Temperature is Key: Ensure your cottage cheese is at room temperature before adding it to the dough. Cold cottage cheese can inhibit yeast activity, leading to a denser loaf. Just set it out on the counter for about 30 minutes before you start.
- Don’t Over-Flour: Resist the urge to add too much flour during kneading. A slightly sticky dough will yield a softer, more tender bread. Add flour sparingly, just enough so the dough is manageable and doesn’t stick excessively to your hands or the surface.
- Achieving the Perfect Rise: For an ideal rise, place your covered dough in a slightly warm, draft-free spot. My go-to is often a slightly warmed (then turned off) oven, or near a sunny window with natural morning light. Patience here really pays off!
