Savory Cheese & Olive Quick Bread

Ouadie Rhabbouron

🧀🌿 Savory Cheese & Olive Quick Bread: The Perfect Appetizer Loaf

 

 

A Rustic, Flavor-Packed Treat with No Yeast Required!

 

This "quick bread" is everything its name promises: fast to prepare, bursting with savory flavor, and wonderfully rustic. Unlike traditional bread, it uses baking powder and baking soda as leavening agents, meaning no kneading and no long proofing times! It's an ideal recipe for a beginner baker or anyone looking for a last-minute addition to a dinner party, picnic, or weeknight soup.

The combination of sharp cheddar, briny olives, and aromatic herbs creates an irresistible aroma and a moist, tender crumb. Serve it warm with butter or enjoy it on its own—it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

 

Recipe Details

 

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
  • Total Time: About 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Servings: 8-10 slices
  • Cuisine: European / Quick Bread

 

🛒 Ingredients

 

 

Dry Ingredients:

 

  • 2 cups (240g) All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt (adjust based on the saltiness of your cheese/olives)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon Granulated Sugar

 

Wet Ingredients & Mix-ins:

 

  • 1 cup (240ml) Buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp white vinegar, let sit for 5 mins)
  • 2 large Eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) Olive Oil (plus extra for brushing)
  • 1 1/2 cups (about 175g) Sharp Cheddar Cheese, coarsely grated (reserve 2 Tbsp for topping)
  • 3/4 cup (about 100g) Pitted Olives (a mix of green and Kalamata is excellent), roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Herbs (such as chives, parsley, and/or rosemary), divided

 

👩‍🍳 Instructions

 

 

1. Prepare the Pan and Preheat the Oven

 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Lightly grease and flour a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. You can also line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

 

2. Combine Dry Ingredients

 

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pepper, and sugar until well combined.

 

3. Add Cheese, Olives, and Herbs

 

  • Stir in 1 1/4 cups of the grated cheddar cheese, the chopped olives, and 3 Tablespoons of the fresh herbs until everything is lightly coated in the flour mixture. This helps prevent the additions from sinking to the bottom of the loaf.

 

4. Combine Wet Ingredients

 

  • In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, lightly beaten eggs, and olive oil.

 

5. Mix Batter

 

  • Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients.
  • Mix gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. The batter will be thick and may still have a few streaks of flour—do not overmix, as this can lead to a tough, dry bread.

 

6. Bake the Loaf

 

  • Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with your spatula.
  • Sprinkle the top of the batter with the remaining 2 Tablespoons of grated cheddar cheese and the last 1 Tablespoon of fresh herbs. Lightly brush the top with a tiny amount of olive oil for a richer crust.
  • Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

 

7. Cool and Serve

 

  • Let the quick bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. This is important as it allows the loaf to set.
  • Carefully remove the loaf from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool slightly before slicing.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

💡 Baker's Notes & Variations

 

  • Cheese Swap: No Cheddar? Try Gruyère, Swiss, Parmesan, or Goat Cheese for a different profile.
  • Olive Options: You can use only green or only black olives. For a less intense briny flavor, soak your olives in a bowl of fresh water for 10 minutes before chopping and draining well.
  • Add-ins: Feel free to mix in 1/4 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes or 2 slices of crumbled, cooked bacon for an extra layer of flavor.
  • Serving Suggestion: This bread is magnificent served alongside a hearty soup (like tomato or potato) or as an accompaniment to a cheese and charcuterie board.

Enjoy this rustic, flavorful quick bread! It's a simple recipe that yields impressive results every time.

For Complete Cooking STEPS Please Head On Over To Next Page Or Open button (>) and don’t forget to SHARE with your Facebook friends.