Asiago, Apple and Rosemary Bread

Annacia's Note:

For this savory loaf tart apples, like Gravenstein, work well but use what you have and like. Using your food processor to shred the cold butter, Asiago cheese, and apples, in that order will speed things along. It's not necessary to peel the apples unless you just want to.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 25 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 5 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 loaf

• 3 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons cold hard butter (1/2 stick)
• 4 ounces shredded asiago cheese , divided (or cheddar)
• 1 lb apple , cored and shredded (about 4 or 5)
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 2 large eggs , beaten

Topping (optional)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaf (not chopped)
• ¼ cup shredded asiago cheese (reserved from ingredients above)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt.
4. Using your fingers, mix the shredded butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs.
5. Reserve 1/4 cup shredded cheese for the topping and set aside.
6. Mix the remaining cheese, the shredded apple, and the rosemary into the flour mixture.
7. Stir in the eggs until the batter is evenly blended (The batter will be thick and dense).
8. Fill the pan with the batter.
9. Bake for 45 minutes
10. Mix together the topping ingredients.
11. Spread the topping ingredients over the loaf and bake until a skewer inserted in the loaf comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
12. Let the loaf rest in the pan 10 minutes, then unmold the load and let cool on a wire rack.

Reviews

[chef11425]

This was a good bread, but like everyone said, it was dense. So I added 1 cup of warm water, 1 1/2 tps. yeast and a little more flour and it was fine. Rose up great, also made 2 loafs no one.

[Rita~]

Used 1.5 ounces for shredded apples. At time of topping the aroma was very nice. I did measure my flour so it was very light in the cup and did find it a bit dense. I do suggest maybe a flat bread. Making it in a cookie sheet pan. I did enjoy the topping. With a bit of work this can be oh so 5 stars!!!!

[Anemone]

The taste was okay, but I found this to be a very dense loaf... and we prefer lighter breads.