Description
This homemade cottage cheese bread recipe quickly became a family favorite, a testament to how humble ingredients can create something extraordinary. It’s truly a fantastic way to add extra protein and a surprisingly light texture to your homemade loaves. If you’re looking for an easy, nourishing, and utterly delicious bread to bake, this incredible cottage cheese bread recipe is definitely for you.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups Warm Water
2 1/4 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar
1 cup Cottage Cheese
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Salt
3 1/2 – 4 cups All-Purpose Flour
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This confirms your yeast is active and ready to work its magic for this easy cottage cheese bread recipe
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the cottage cheese, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir everything together until well combined
- Add Flour Gradually: Begin adding the all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon or a stand mixer with a dough hook. Continue adding flour until the dough starts to come together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. It will be slightly sticky, which is perfect for this simple cottage cheese bread recipe
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 7-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for 5-7 minutes
- First Rise: Lightly grease a clean large bowl with a little olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size
- Shape the Loaf: Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air. On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into a loaf. You can form it into a traditional oval or a rectangle
- Second Rise: Place the shaped loaf into a lightly greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover it again and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until it has almost doubled in size and looks puffy. This second rise is crucial for a light and airy homemade cottage cheese bread
- Preheat Oven & Bake: While the dough is on its second rise, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once risen, bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown on top and it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom
- Cool: Remove the loaf from the oven and immediately transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This helps prevent a gummy texture. Enjoy your fresh cottage cheese bread recipe!
Notes
Always ensure your water is warm, not hot. Water that’s too hot will kill the yeast, preventing your bread from rising. My ideal temperature is like a warm bath for a baby.
When adding flour, do it gradually. Different flours absorb liquid differently, so you might need slightly more or less than indicated. Trust the feel of the dough – it should be tacky but not overly sticky.
Knead thoroughly! Proper kneading develops the gluten, which is key for that wonderful chewiness in your homemade cottage cheese bread. A well-kneaded dough will be smooth and elastic.
For the rises, find a warm, draft-free spot in your kitchen. On a cold day, I’ll sometimes preheat my oven to its lowest setting for a few minutes, then turn it off and let the dough rise inside.
Don’t skip cooling the bread completely on a wire rack; slicing a warm loaf can compromise its texture.
Once your cottage cheese loaf cools completely, store it in an airtight container or a bread bag at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze slices or the whole loaf. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen homemade cottage cheese bread, simply thaw it at room temperature.
For reheating, you can toast individual slices or warm the whole loaf in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
Keywords: cottage cheese bread, homemade bread, easy bread, protein bread, sandwich bread