CHEDDAR BAY BISCUIT BREAD

Imagine the warm, buttery aroma of freshly baked Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bread filling your kitchen—a heavenly scent that combines the comforting notes of garlic, cheese, and herbs. This incredible bread transforms the beloved Red Lobster-inspired biscuit flavor into a sliceable loaf that’s both impressive and impossibly easy to make. Tender on the inside with a slightly crisp, golden exterior, this Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bread delivers that distinctive savory-cheesy profile in every bite. You’ll learn how to create this crowd-pleasing bread with simple ingredients and foolproof techniques that guarantee perfect results every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bread recipe will quickly become a staple in your baking repertoire for so many reasons. Unlike traditional drop biscuits, this bread offers the convenience of a quick bread with all the beloved flavors of those famous seafood restaurant biscuits. The contrast between the moist, tender crumb and the slightly crisp, buttery exterior creates a textural symphony that’s impossible to resist.

What makes this cheddar garlic bread truly special is its versatility. It pairs perfectly with soups and salads, elevates any dinner table, and even makes a delicious breakfast option when toasted. The generous amount of real cheddar cheese creates pockets of melty goodness throughout the loaf, while the garlic butter topping infuses every slice with that signature flavor.

Best of all, this recipe requires no special equipment or techniques—just mix, pour, bake, and enjoy. You’ll get consistent, impressive results every time with minimal effort, making this Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bread ideal for both novice bakers and experienced cooks alike.

Ingredients List for the Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bread

The magic of this bread lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients that combine to create that unmistakable cheddar bay flavor. Fresh shredded cheese and the perfect blend of seasonings are essential to achieving authentic results.

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt or can use sea salt
• 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I shred my own)
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk (can use whole milk or 2%)
• 4 tablespoons butter (melted)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
• 4 tablespoons butter (melted) – for topping

Pro Tips

To elevate your Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bread from good to extraordinary, these three techniques will make all the difference:

Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-packaged shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect both texture and flavor. Taking the extra minute to shred your own cheddar results in better melting, superior flavor, and a more authentic texture. Choose a sharp or extra-sharp cheddar for the most pronounced flavor.

Don’t Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, dense bread rather than the tender, biscuit-like texture we’re aiming for. A few small lumps in the batter are perfectly fine.

Temperature Matters: Ensure your melted butter isn’t too hot when adding it to the batter—it should be warm but not scorching. This prevents cooking the egg prematurely. Also, make sure your milk and egg are at room temperature for the most even mixing and baking.

Instructions

Step 1: Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Stir in shredded cheese, egg, milk and melted butter.

Step 2: Spray or grease a 9 x 5 bread pan. Spread batter in pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven 35 to 40 minutes until center tests done and bread is brown on top.

Step 3: Remove from oven and pour topping over bread while still hot. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing.

Variations

Spicy Cheddar Bay Bread: Add heat to your Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bread by incorporating 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper into the dry ingredients and mixing in 1-2 finely diced jalapeños (seeds removed for milder heat). You can also substitute pepper jack for half of the cheddar cheese for an extra kick that complements the traditional flavors beautifully.

Herb and Bacon Version: Fold in 6-8 slices of crispy, crumbled bacon along with 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped chives and 1 teaspoon of dried thyme to create a hearty, savory variation. This creates a more complex flavor profile that transforms this cheddar biscuit loaf into a complete meal when paired with soup or salad.

Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already include it, and you may need to increase the milk by 2-3 tablespoons as gluten-free flours tend to absorb more moisture.

Storage/Serving

Store your Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For longer storage, slice the cooled bread, place parchment paper between slices, and freeze in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw slices at room temperature or toast directly from frozen.

Serve this bread warm for the ultimate experience. For an elegant presentation, slice and arrange on a wooden board alongside a small bowl of extra herb butter for spreading. This bread is the perfect companion to seafood dishes, particularly shrimp scampi or clam chowder, honoring its Red Lobster inspiration. It also makes a fantastic base for savory sandwiches—try it toasted with grilled chicken and avocado, or use it to elevate a simple tomato soup meal into something special.

For a quick appetizer, cut the bread into cubes, lightly toast, and serve with marinara dipping sauce.

FAQs

Can I make this bread without a loaf pan?
Yes! You can bake this as drop biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet (reduce baking time to about 15-18 minutes) or in a cast-iron skillet for a rustic presentation (bake for approximately 25-30 minutes).

My bread seems too dense. What went wrong?
Dense Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bread is usually the result of overmixing or using expired baking powder. Remember to mix just until ingredients are combined, and check that your baking powder is fresh.

Can I make this bread ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! Bake it up to a day ahead, then wrap in foil and reheat in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes before serving. Brush with a little extra melted butter for that fresh-baked effect.

Is there a way to make this recipe lighter in calories?
You can reduce calories by using reduced-fat cheese and 2% milk, though the texture may be slightly less rich. The butter is essential for the authentic flavor, but you could reduce the topping butter by half.

Why do you recommend shredding your own cheese?
Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents and preservatives that can make your bread less moist and affect the melting quality. Freshly shredded cheese melts better, tastes fresher, and creates those desirable cheese pockets throughout your Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bread.

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