Caramelized Shallot Cheesy Bread

This caramelized shallot cheesy bread is sure to be a hit, with its delicious blend of caramelized shallots and two types of cheese baked into a savory loaf. Perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or snack, this recipe is a must-try for any bread lover.

Watch how to make this

Ingredients

• Shallots: A type of onion that is smaller and milder in flavor than traditional onions. If you can't find shallots, use onions instead.
• Cheese: Gives the bread umami and salty flavor while creating melted pockets of cheese throughout.
• Thyme: If you are using dried herbs, substitute 2 teaspoons fresh herbs for 1 teaspoon dried.
• Buttermilk: Buttermilk is what helps the bread achieve its moist texture. You can make your own buttermilk by combining 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 1 cup of whole milk. Combine the mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes or until it curdles before using.
• Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is the other ingredient that adds moisture to the bread. You can substitute it with sour cream if desired.

Substitutions and variations

• Gluten-free: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour.
• Toppings: Try this recipe with shredded fontina, Asiago, or mozzarella. You can also try other herbs such as rosemary or sage.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Caramelize Shallots

Caramelizing shallots is a simple process that requires a bit of patience. To start, thinly slice the shallots and heat a tablespoon or two of oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the shallots and stir to coat them in the oil. Lower the heat to low and sprinkle some sugar over the shallots to help them caramelize. Stir the shallots occasionally to prevent them from burning, and cook them until they turn a deep golden brown color, which usually takes 25-30 minutes.

If the pan becomes too dry, add a tablespoon or two of water. Once they're deeply golden brown, remove them from the pan and let them cool completely. You can prepare the shallots the day before if desired.

Step 2: Make the batter

Now we can make the actual bread. Combine flour, sugar, thyme, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a food processor. Then, add cold butter and pulse until well combined. If you don't have a food processor, you can mix by hand using a pastry cutter.

In a separate large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, Greek yogurt, and eggs until well combined. Add the flour and butter mixture to the bowl with the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Lastly, add the cooled caramelized shallots, shredded white cheddar, and shredded parmesan, stirring just until combined.

Step 3: Bake

Pour the bread mixture into a prepared loaf pan and pop it into the oven. Bake the caramelized shallot cheesy bread for about 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The outside should be beautifully golden brown.

Let the bread cool slightly before serving. Although the bread is best served warm, you can enjoy it at room temperature as well.

As soon as the bread came out of the oven, I couldn't wait to slice right into it. The smell of the caramelized onions and wonderful cheese filled the kitchen making me incredibly hungry. And you know what? The bread tasted just as delicious as it smelled. Every bite is a little sweet and savory making it a perfect accompaniment to almost any meal. You can even use the bread to create the ultimate sandwich!

Make-ahead and storage

• Make-ahead: You can make this bread a day ahead and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Reheat it in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or until warm before serving.
• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Frequently asked questions

More quick bread recipes

Looking for more quick bread ideas? Try these:

Recipe

Print Recipe

Caramelized Shallot Cheesy Bread

Yields 1 9-inch loaf

Total Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bread

Servings: 12

Author: Christine Ma

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups sliced shallots (about 8 shallots)
• 1 tablespoon sugar plus 1 teaspoon
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (296 grams)
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces (84 grams)
• ¾ cup buttermilk (187 ml)
• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (56 grams)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup shredded white cheddar (100 grams)
• ½ cup shredded parmesan (50 grams)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Add shallots and saute for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low, sprinkle 1 teaspoon sugar and stir to combine. Continue to saute for 25-30 minutes or until shallots are deeply golden brown and caramelized. If the pan becomes to too dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of water. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
• Combine flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, thyme, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a food processor. Add butter and pulse until well combined. Set aside.
• Whisk together buttermilk, yogurt, and eggs in a large bowl until well combined. Add flour and butter mixture and stir just until combined. Add caramelized shallots, cheddar, and parmesan, stirring just until combined.
• Pour bread batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Slice and serve warm.

Notes

You can bake this bread in a 9-inch square baking pan, cast iron, or as muffins if desired. Adjust the baking time according to the vessel; the baking time will be reduced.