Soft Cheese & Onion Bread—Warm, Fluffy, and Packed with Flavor

Cheese and onion bread is everything you want in a savory bake: soft and fluffy on the inside, golden on the outside, and packed with sharp, melty cheese and sweet sautéed onions in every bite. It’s the kind of loaf that makes your kitchen smell like a cozy bakery and pulls apart beautifully, revealing layers of flavor and comfort. Whether you slice it warm with butter, pair it with soup, or turn it into the most epic grilled cheese sandwich of your life, this bread is hearty, tender, and deeply satisfying. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—and just as good snacked on plain straight from the counter.

Why You’ll Love This Cheese & Onion Bread

It’s soft and pillowy thanks to a slightly enriched dough with milk and butter, but it’s the mix-ins that steal the show. The onions are cooked until golden and sweet, the cheese melts into little pockets throughout the loaf, and the top bakes into a savory crust with a hint of sharpness. It’s comforting, homemade, and impressive without being complicated. You don’t need to be a bread expert to pull this off—and once you try it, you’ll want to bake it on repeat.

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• ¾ cup warm milk
• ¼ cup warm water
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 egg

For the Filling & Topping

• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar or Gruyère cheese
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter (for sautéing)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Optional: extra cheese for topping, pinch of thyme or parsley

Instructions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook diced onion in oil or butter until soft, golden, and caramelized—about 8–10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
3. Add flour, salt, melted butter, and egg to the yeast mixture and stir until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Gently knead in the cooled onions, shredded cheese, and garlic powder until evenly distributed.
6. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
7. Punch down the dough and shape into a loaf or place into a greased 9×5 loaf pan.
8. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
9. Preheat oven to 375°F.
10. Optional: Sprinkle the top with extra cheese or herbs for a golden crust.
11. Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
12. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving warm.

Tips for Success

Use freshly shredded cheese for better melt and texture. Let onions cool before mixing into the dough to avoid killing the yeast. If your dough feels sticky, dust with a little extra flour while kneading. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook for easier kneading. Want even more flavor? Mix in herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives, or use a blend of cheeses.

Variations

Make rolls instead of a loaf by dividing dough into balls and baking in a muffin tin or round dish. Add a swirl of mustard or cream cheese for richness. Use caramelized red onions for a slightly sweeter variation. Add diced ham or crumbled bacon to make it heartier.

Storage & Reheating

Wrap cooled bread in foil and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze in slices and toast as needed. Reheat in the oven or toaster for that freshly baked texture.

Final Thoughts

Soft cheese and onion bread is the kind of comfort bake that hits all the right notes—savory, buttery, cheesy, and just a little bit indulgent. It’s the perfect mix of rustic and elevated, simple and flavorful. Whether you’re baking it for yourself or to impress a crowd, one slice is never enough.

Stick around—every visit tastes better than the last at The Buttered Bliss.