Cheddar & Sesame Slab Bread

Buttery, cheesy, crusty. This bread is cut into rough slabs before rising. Once it rises, it merges into a unique loaf. Perfect for a Caesar salad break or an Omelette supper. This bread is bigger than the sum of its parts.

1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter
1 teaspoon malt powder - optional
1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
3 1/2 to 4 cups unbleached bread flour
3 tablespoons melted butter for drizzling
1/4 cup sesame seeds

Bread machine on 'dough' cycle: add all ingredients except for melted butter and sesame seeds. (You may wish to add the cheeses later in the cycle if your machine has a beeper).

At the end of the cycle, gently deflate dough. Cut into four random slabs. Place in a greased 12 by 5 inch loaf pan or a 10 inch spring-form pan. Cover and let rise 30-40 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Drizzle on melted butter then sprinkle on sesame seeds.

Bake until golden brown (30-35 minutes). Let rest in pan before removing to a rack.