Last weekend was cold, so it was the perfect weekend for baking! I had been wanting to make something savory and when I came across a recipe at Taste of Home, it was exactly what I was wanting to make—a savory, cheesy quick bread. It sounded easy to make and I could just imagine how good it would be, considering I like olives, cheese, and all the other ingredients in this!
Changes I made to the original recipe include adding more cheese (a no-brainer!), a little more chopped olives, a little more minced rosemary, and using unbleached flour instead of bleached. This Olive Cheddar Quick Bread rises nicely and bakes up dense and flavorful. I think it tastes best warm and it’s easy to reheat in the microwave slice by slice (if you don’t eat it all the day you make it).
You could use this bread as a substitute for rolls or biscuits for lunch or dinner. It’s also great just as a snack. Because this bread is so full of flavor, you don’t really need to spread it with anything—but if you do want to have a spread when serving this, consider butter or cream cheese, or healthier options like hummus or pesto.
Olive Cheddar Quick Bread
OLIVE CHEDDAR QUICK BREAD by NancyC, adapted from Taste of Home
Makes an 8×4″ loaf
- 1 Tablespoon canola oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 2/3 cup plus 2 Tablespoons Sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/3 cup chopped pitted green olives
- 1/3 cup chopped pitted black olives (I used Kalamata olives)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×4″ loaf pan; set aside.
In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, rosemary, and garlic powder.
In a medium size bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter until blended. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in 2/3 cup cheese, chopped olives, and the sautéed onion.
Spoon batter into greased 8×4″ loaf pan, spreading evenly in pan. Bake at 350˚F for 40 minutes. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top. Then bake 5 minutes longer, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Recipe from NancyC | nancy-c.com
I haven’t always liked olives, but I am definitely a fan of them these days! I prefer black olives like the Kalamata variety, but I’m not opposed to mixing them with some green olives too! Are you an olive fan?
Wonderful bread! Love the addition of olives in here.
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I also have grown to *love* black olives in the past 20-25 years. This bread sounds yummy. Will have to compare it with an olive bread recipe that I have made in the past.
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You’ll have to let me know how it compares, Donna! 🙂
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This looks really really good. I love savory breads like this with dinner.
x, Julie | ThisMainLineLife.com
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Yes, they add a nice touch to the meal! 🙂
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What a delicious recipe. I’m always surprised when people actually use bleached flour so it’s unusual to see unbleached called out. I wonder if I should start clarifying that.
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It’s probably not necessary to call it out, but I guess it doesn’t hurt!
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Definitely doesn’t hurt!
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Nancy, yum! How about cream cheese AND pesto as a spread! I’ve been wanting to try this bread so when I do, I’ll follow your recipe!
Thanks for linking up to us at Fiesta Friday!
Mollie
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Cream cheese AND pesto sounds like a great idea! 🙂
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This one is so delicious!!!
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Thanks Rick! 🙂
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This looks so savory and delicious!
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Thanks, Elisabeth! 🙂
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I love quick breads, Nancy! I’ve made yeasted olive bread, but not the quick version yet, so it’s time. Plus cheese, too? Sold!
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Yes, you can’t go wrong with cheese, Angie! 🙂
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