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Baking recipe · from the recipe book

Cheddar Cornmeal Loaf with Thyme and Jalapeño

A golden, craggy-topped loaf with a tender, slightly gritty cornmeal crumb, sharp pockets of melted cheddar, earthy thyme and a mild jalapeño warmth.

Cheddar Cornmeal Loaf with Thyme and Jalapeño

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups190 gAll-purpose flour
  • 1 cup110 gYellow cornmeal, whole-grain
  • 1¾ tsp8 gBaking powder
  • ¾ tsp3 gBaking soda
  • ¾ tsp4 gSalt
  • ½ tsp1 gBlack pepper
  • 1½ tbsp4 gDried thyme
  • 1⅓ cups shredded160 gCheddar cheesesharp, cut into small cubes
  • 2 whole28 gJalapeñoseeded and finely minced
  • 2 medium30 gGreen onionsthinly sliced
  • 2 large100 gEggsat room temperature
  • 1¼ cups (300 ml)300 gPlain kefir, low-fat
  • ¼ cup60 gCanola oil
  • 2⅛ tsp15 gHoney

Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with a little of the canola oil, setting the rest aside for the batter.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, black pepper and thyme, rubbing the thyme between your fingers as it goes in to wake it up.
  3. Set aside about one quarter of the cheddar cubes for the top. Toss the remaining three quarters of the cheddar, the jalapeño and the green onion into the flour mixture so they are coated.
  4. In a second bowl, whisk the eggs, kefir, the remaining canola oil and the honey until smooth.
  5. Pour the kefir mixture into the flour mixture and fold with a spatula just until no dry flour remains; a lumpy batter keeps the loaf tender.
  6. Scrape the batter into the pan, smooth it, and scatter the reserved quarter of the cheddar over the top.
  7. Bake 50 to 55 minutes, until the top is deep golden and a toothpick in the center comes out clean of batter (melted cheese is fine). Tent with foil after 35 minutes if the cheese browns too fast.
  8. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool at least 30 minutes before cutting into 12 slices.

Food safety: Don't taste raw dough or batter: raw flour and raw eggs can carry germs.

Contains: Milk, Egg, Gluten.

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Saved in the Every Helping recipe book on October 24, 2026.

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