Bacon, Herb and Cheese Snack Bread

Name: Bacon, Herb and Cheese Snack Bread
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 16 servings
Ingredients: 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 (4-1/2 tsp.) envelopes Fleischmann's® Quick Rise Yeast; 2 teaspoons Italian herb seasoning; 1-1/2 teaspoons salt; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1-1/4 cups water; 1/4 cup olive oil; 2 eggs; 8 ounces (2 cups) shredded cheese blend (cheddar jack, cheddar mozzarella, etc.), divided; 10 slices cooked bacon, coarsely chopped

Intermediate • 16 servings • 3 hr

Combine 1-1/2 cups flour, undissolved yeast, Italian herb seasoning, salt and garlic in a large mixer bowl. Heat water and oil until very warm (120° to 130°F); gradually add to flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs and 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in 1 cup cheese and remaining flour to make a stiff batter. Spread batter on greased 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan or rimmed baking sheet with at least 1-inch sides. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; top with bacon. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until puffy, about 30 minutes. Bake at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Cover loosely with foil during last 5 to 10 minutes of baking if cheese begins to overbrown. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack. Serve as strips or squares, or slice and use for sandwiches.

Ingredients

4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 (4-1/2 tsp.) envelopes Fleischmann's® Quick Rise Yeast
2 teaspoons Italian herb seasoning
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/4 cups water
1/4 cup olive oil
2 eggs
8 ounces (2 cups) shredded cheese blend (cheddar jack, cheddar mozzarella, etc.), divided
10 slices cooked bacon, coarsely chopped

Method

Combine 1-1/2 cups flour, undissolved yeast, Italian herb seasoning, salt and garlic in a large mixer bowl. Heat water and oil until very warm (120° to 130°F); gradually add to flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs and 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in 1 cup cheese and remaining flour to make a stiff batter. Spread batter on greased 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan or rimmed baking sheet with at least 1-inch sides. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; top with bacon. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until puffy, about 30 minutes.
Bake at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Cover loosely with foil during last 5 to 10 minutes of baking if cheese begins to overbrown. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack. Serve as strips or squares, or slice and use for sandwiches.
Topping Variation: Replace bacon with 1-1/2 ounces thinly sliced salami.