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Ingredients
- 3 ounces Parmesan cheese -- shredded on large holes of box grater (1 cup)
- 5 slices bacon (about 5 oz) -- cut into 1/2" pieces
- 1/2 medium onion -- minced (about 1/2 cup)
- 3 cups unbleached all purpose flour (15 oz)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 ounces Gruyere cheese -- cut into 1/2" cubes (about 1 cup)
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1 large egg -- beaten lightly
- 3/4 cup sour cream
Preparation
Step 1
Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 5 by
9 inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray, then sprinkle 1/2 cup
Parmesan evenly in bottom of pan.
Fry bacon in medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring
occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 8 minutes. Using slotted
spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel lined plate and pour off all but 3
tablespoons bacon fat from skillet. Add onion to skillet and cook.
stirring frequently, until softened, about 3 minutes; set skillet with
onion aside.
In large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper to
combine. Using rubber spatula, mix in Gruyere, breaking up clumps, until
cheese is coated with flour. Add bacon and onion mixture and stir to
combine. In medium bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and sour cream. Using
rubber spatula, gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients until
just combined (batter will be heavy and thick). Do not over mix. Scrape
batter into prepared loaf pan; spread to sides of pan and level surface
with rubber spatula. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan evenly over
surface.
Bake until deep golden brown and toothpick or skewer inserted in center of
loaf comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. NOTE: If, when testing the bread
for doneness, the toothpick comes out with what looks like uncooked batter
clinging to it, try again in a different--but still central--spot; if the
toothpick hits a pocket of cheese, it may give a false reading.
Cool in pan on wire rack 5 minutes; invert loaf from pan and continue to
cool until warm, about 45 minutes. Cut into slices and serve.