Shaker Cheddar Bread

This bread freezes beautifully, so you may like to double the recipe to make 1 loaf to freeze for later use.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (1/2 stick)
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed grated sharp Cheddar cheese
• 2 eggs, well beaten
• 1 cup low-fat milk
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon dried dill (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Oil a 9 x 5 x 3 inch aluminum loaf pan.
2. Sift flours, baking powder and salt together into a large mixing bowl.
3. Cut the butter into 4 or 5 bits. Blend it into the flour mixture by pressing it in with the tines of fork until the mixture resembles a coarse meal.
4. Stir in the grated cheese.
5. In another bowl, combine the beaten eggs with the milk, honey and optional dill. Beat together until well blended.
6. Add the wet mixture to the dry and beat together vigorously until thoroughly mixed.
7. Pour the mixture into prepared loaf pan.
8. Bake for about 50 minutes or until the top is browned and a knife inserted into the center tests clean.
9. When the loaf is cool enough to handle, remove it from its pan and allow it to cool on a rack.