If you have ever dreamed of waking up to the aroma of freshly baked bread infused with rich cheddar and crispy bacon, this Bread Machine Cheese Bread recipe is your new best friend. Perfectly crusty on the outside with a tender, cheesy crumb inside, it’s an absolute staple for breakfast, snacks, or even alongside dinner. This bread combines the ease and convenience of a bread machine with the warm, comforting flavors of cheese and bacon, bringing a touch of homemade goodness to your kitchen without the fuss. You will love how effortlessly you can enjoy a gourmet twist on traditional bread, creating the perfect loaf every time.

Bread Machine Cheese Bread: Ingredients You’ll Need

Bread Machine Cheese Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting the perfect loaf starts with wholesome yet straightforward ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role — from providing moisture and structure to flavor and texture — resulting in a bread that’s as satisfying to make as it is to eat.

1 cup Water (warm, 100 – 110 ℉): Delicate warmth activates the yeast without killing it, essential for a good rise.
1 tablespoon Butter (room temperature): Adds richness and tenderness to the crumb.
¼ cup Cooked Bacon (crispy, crumbled): Brings a smoky, savory punch that contrasts beautifully with the cheese.
¾ cup Cheddar cheese (your preferred kind): Melts into the dough, infusing the bread with a delightful cheesy flavor.
1 Egg (beaten): Helps bind ingredients and adds moisture, making the bread soft and fluffy.
1½ tablespoon Sugar: Enhances flavor and feeds the yeast for a perfect rise.
1 teaspoon Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
3 cup Bread flour: Provides the necessary gluten structure for a sturdy yet tender loaf.
1½ teaspoon Active Dry Yeast: The magic ingredient that makes the dough rise and become airy.

How to Make Bread Machine Cheese Bread

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Start by warming your water to about 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit — the perfect environment to awaken the yeast without harming it. Make sure your butter is softened, your bacon cooked until golden and crumbled, and the cheese shredded or cut into small pieces. Having the egg beaten and ready ensures a smooth and hassle-free assembly.

Step 2: Load Ingredients into the Bread Machine

Follow your bread machine’s guidelines for the order of ingredients, which usually means adding liquids first. Pour in the warm water, then add the softened butter. Next, add the cooked bacon and cheese, followed by the beaten egg. Finally, sprinkle the dry ingredients — sugar, salt, bread flour — over the top, and make a small well for the yeast so it doesn’t get wet prematurely.

Step 3: Choose the Right Settings and Start Your Bread Machine

Select the “Basic” bread setting for a 1 ½ lb loaf, and choose a light or medium crust, depending on your preference. Then, start your machine. The mixing, kneading, rising, and baking will happen automatically, turning your kitchen into a cozy bakery.

Step 4: Remove and Cool

Once the baking cycle is complete, carefully remove the bread pan using oven mitts. Sometimes the paddle sticks inside the loaf; use a fork or hook to gently loosen and remove it. Set your bread on a wire rack to cool thoroughly — this step ensures the crust stays crisp and the interior finishes its perfect texture.

How to Serve Bread Machine Cheese Bread

Garnishes

A sprinkling of fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme just before serving brings an aromatic touch that heightens the bread’s savory qualities. A little extra shredded cheese melted on top is a cheesy delight that your friends and family will adore. For a bold twist, serve it with a light brush of garlic butter for that irresistible aroma.

Side Dishes

This Bread Machine Cheese Bread pairs beautifully with hearty soups such as tomato bisque or creamy potato leek soup. It also complements breakfast fare like scrambled eggs and sautéed greens perfectly, making it a versatile side any time of day.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your bread into a delicious sandwich base loaded with fresh ingredients. Or slice it thickly and toast it to serve alongside a warm bowl of chili. For cheese lovers, consider bruschetta-style slices topped with diced tomatoes and basil or simply spread with your favorite jam to balance savory and sweet.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap your leftover Bread Machine Cheese Bread in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature to keep it from drying out. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to three days this way — ideal for quick breakfasts or snacks.

Freezing

If you want to keep your Bread Machine Cheese Bread longer, freeze it in slices with parchment paper between each piece for easy portioning. Seal tightly in a freezer bag or container, and it will maintain its flavor and texture for up to three months.

Reheating

Rewarm slices in a toaster or oven at 350°F for about 5 to 7 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked aroma and crisp crust. Avoid microwaving as it tends to soften the bread, losing that irresistible texture you love.

FAQs

Can I use other types of cheese in Bread Machine Cheese Bread?

Absolutely! While cheddar adds a classic sharpness, you can experiment with mozzarella for melty goodness, gouda for a smoky touch, or pepper jack for a spicy twist. Just adjust quantities to your taste preference.

Does the bacon need to be cooked before adding to the dough?

Yes, it’s important to fully cook and crisp the bacon before mixing it in. Raw bacon won’t cook properly during the bread-baking process and could affect the dough’s texture.

Can I make this bread without a bread machine?

Though this recipe is designed for bread machines for convenience and consistency, you can absolutely prepare this dough manually. Just be prepared for kneading, rising, and baking the dough in an oven at around 350°F for 30-35 minutes once it has doubled in size.

What if my dough is too dry or too wet after mixing?

If the dough is too dry, add warm water a tablespoon at a time and knead until soft and elastic. If it’s too wet, sprinkle in a bit more bread flour gradually. Texture is key for a perfect loaf.

How long will Bread Machine Cheese Bread stay fresh at room temperature?

This bread is best enjoyed within three days when kept at room temperature in an airtight container or wrapped well. After that, the flavor and texture may start to decline, so freezing leftovers is a great option.

Final Thoughts

You truly can’t beat the ease and flavor combo of this Bread Machine Cheese Bread. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a secret weapon for quick homemade luxury — delivering comforting, cheesy, bacon-infused goodness whenever you desire. Give it a try and watch how it becomes a beloved staple in your kitchen, loved by family and friends alike.

Bread Machine Cheese Bread Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 11 reviews

Author: anna
Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 12 slices) 1x
Diet: Halal

Print Recipe

Description

This easy-to-make bread machine cheese bread combines the savory flavors of cheddar cheese and crispy bacon for a delicious homemade loaf. Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or a flavorful side, this recipe utilizes a bread machine to simplify the baking process and yield a soft, cheesy bread with a lightly crisp crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Liquids

1 cup Water, warm (100 – 110 ℉)
1 tablespoon Butter, room temperature
1 Egg, beaten

Add-ins

¼ cup Cooked Bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
¾ cup Cheddar cheese (or any preferred cheese)

Dry Ingredients

1½ tablespoon Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
3 cup Bread flour
1½ teaspoon Active Dry Yeast

Instructions

Prepare Ingredients: Gather all the ingredients, ensuring that the water is warmed to 100 – 110 ℉ and the butter is at room temperature. Beat the egg and crumble the cooked bacon.
Load Liquids into Bread Machine: Place the warm water into your bread machine’s mixing and baking pan first, followed by the room temperature butter as recommended by most manufacturers.
Add Cheese, Bacon, and Egg: Add the crumbled cooked bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and the beaten egg directly on top of the liquids in the bread pan.
Add Dry Ingredients: Layer the sugar, salt, and bread flour over the mixture. Finally, add the active dry yeast on top of the dry ingredients, avoiding direct contact with liquids to allow proper yeast activation.
Set Bread Machine: Select the ‘Basic’ bread setting for a 1½ lb loaf with either a light or medium crust option. Start the machine to initiate mixing, kneading, rising, and baking.
Remove and Cool: Once baking is complete and the timer signals, carefully remove the bread pan from the machine. If the paddle remains inside the loaf, gently remove it with a fork or hook. Transfer the bread to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Use warm water (not hot) to prevent killing the yeast and achieve proper fermentation.
Ensure all ingredients, especially butter and egg, are at room temperature for optimal dough texture.
Do not overload the bread machine — follow the ingredient quantities exactly to avoid overflow or malfunction.
If the dough feels too dry during the initial mix, add water a tablespoon at a time until it is soft and elastic.
Allow the bread to cool fully on a wire rack before slicing to maintain crumb structure.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes (includes mixing, rising, and baking time in bread machine)
Category: Bread
Method: Bread Machine Baking
Cuisine: American