Homemade Cottage Dill Bread: A Simple and Delicious Recipe

There’s something undeniably comforting about the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the house. And when that bread is a flavorful, slightly tangy Cottage Dill Bread, the experience is elevated to a whole new level. This recipe is surprisingly simple, requiring minimal effort and readily available ingredients, yet delivering a loaf that’s both satisfyingly dense and incredibly flavorful. The combination of cottage cheese and dill creates a unique taste that’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying on its own with a smear of butter.

This Cottage Dill Bread recipe is a perfect choice for beginner bakers. It doesn’t require any fancy equipment or complicated techniques. The active dry yeast does most of the work, and the dough is forgiving and easy to handle. The result is a rustic, wholesome bread that’s sure to impress your family and friends.

Why You’ll Love This Cottage Dill Bread

• Simple and Easy: This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers. The steps are straightforward, and the ingredients are readily available.
• Delicious Flavor: The combination of cottage cheese and dill creates a unique and unforgettable flavor.
• Versatile: Enjoy this bread as a sandwich bread, toast, or simply on its own with butter or your favorite spread.
• Homemade Goodness: There’s nothing quite like the taste of homemade bread. You control the ingredients and can feel good about serving it to your family.
• Great Texture: The cottage cheese adds a wonderful moistness and slightly chewy texture to the bread.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather the following ingredients:

• Active Dry Yeast: 2 1/4 teaspoons (one standard packet) – This is the key ingredient that makes the bread rise. Make sure your yeast is fresh and active for best results.
• Warm Water: 1/4 cup (105-115°F) – The warm water activates the yeast. The temperature is crucial; too hot, and it will kill the yeast; too cold, and it won’t activate.
• Sugar: 1 teaspoon – Sugar provides food for the yeast to help it activate and rise.
• Cottage Cheese: 1 cup (small curd or large curd, both work) – The cottage cheese adds moisture, flavor, and a slightly tangy taste to the bread. Use your favorite brand.
• Milk: 1/4 cup – Adds moisture and richness to the dough. Whole milk or 2% milk works best.
• Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted – Adds flavor and tenderness to the bread. You can use salted or unsalted butter, depending on your preference. If using salted butter, you may want to reduce the amount of salt added later.
• Salt: 1 teaspoon – Enhances the flavor of the bread and controls the yeast activity.
• Dried Dill Weed: 2 tablespoons – Dill is the star of the show, adding a distinctive and aromatic flavor to the bread.
• All-Purpose Flour: 3 – 3 1/2 cups – The amount of flour needed can vary depending on humidity and other factors. Start with 3 cups and add more gradually until the dough comes together.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Large Mixing Bowl: For mixing the dough.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate measurements.
• Liquid Measuring Cup: For measuring liquids.
• Wooden Spoon or Dough Whisk: For mixing the dough.
• 9×5 inch Loaf Pan: For baking the bread.
• Baking Sheet (optional): To prevent the bottom of the loaf from over-browning.
• Wire Rack: For cooling the bread.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to bake your own delicious Cottage Dill Bread:

1. Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy. This indicates that the yeast is active and ready to use. If the yeast doesn’t foam, it may be expired, and you’ll need to start with fresh yeast.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: To the bowl with the activated yeast, add the cottage cheese, milk, melted butter, salt, and dried dill weed. Stir well to combine. The cottage cheese doesn’t need to be perfectly smooth; some lumps are fine.
3. Add Flour Gradually: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Start with 3 cups and continue adding flour until the dough starts to come together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should be slightly sticky but not overly wet.
4. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for this step. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
5. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. A warm place can be a sunny windowsill, a preheated oven turned off, or a warm spot in your kitchen.
6. Punch Down the Dough: Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to release the air.
7. Shape the Loaf: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently shape the dough into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
8. Second Rise: Cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 30-45 minutes, or until the dough has risen to the top of the pan.
9. Preheat the Oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
10. Bake the Bread: Once the dough has completed its second rise, bake it in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200-210°F (93-99°C). If the crust starts to brown too quickly, you can tent the loaf with aluminum foil.
11. Cool the Bread: Remove the baked bread from the oven and let it cool in the loaf pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bread from becoming soggy.
12. Slice and Serve: Once the bread is completely cool, slice and serve. Enjoy it on its own, with butter, or as a sandwich bread.

Tips for Success

• Use Fresh Yeast: Make sure your active dry yeast is fresh for the best results. If you’re unsure, test it by adding it to warm water with a pinch of sugar. If it doesn’t foam after 5-10 minutes, it’s likely expired.
• Don’t Overheat the Water: The water used to activate the yeast should be warm, not hot. Water that is too hot can kill the yeast. Aim for a temperature between 105-115°F (40-46°C).
• Don’t Overknead the Dough: Overkneading can result in a tough bread. Knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic, but don’t overdo it.
• Let the Dough Rise in a Warm Place: A warm environment is essential for the dough to rise properly. Avoid drafty areas.
• Don’t Overbake the Bread: Overbaking can result in a dry bread. Bake the bread until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200-210°F (93-99°C). Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure accuracy.
• Cool Completely Before Slicing: Allowing the bread to cool completely before slicing prevents it from becoming gummy or soggy.

Variations and Additions

Want to customize your Cottage Dill Bread? Here are a few ideas:

• Cheese: Add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, or mozzarella cheese to the dough for an extra cheesy flavor.
• Garlic: Add 1-2 cloves of minced garlic to the dough for a savory twist.
• Onion: Add 1/4 cup of finely chopped onion to the dough for added flavor and texture.
• Herbs: Experiment with other herbs, such as chives, parsley, or rosemary, in addition to or instead of dill.
• Seeds: Add 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or poppy seeds to the dough for added texture and nutrition.
• Sweetness: For a slightly sweeter bread, add an extra tablespoon or two of sugar to the dough.
• Whole Wheat: Substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier and nuttier flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Cottage Dill Bread is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways:

• Sandwiches: Use it as sandwich bread for your favorite fillings. It pairs particularly well with ham, turkey, or cheese.
• Toast: Toast slices of Cottage Dill Bread and spread with butter, cream cheese, or jam.
• Soup or Salad Accompaniment: Serve it alongside your favorite soup or salad for a satisfying meal.
• Appetizer: Slice the bread and serve it with dips, spreads, or cheese for an easy appetizer.
• Croutons: Cube the bread and bake it until crispy to make homemade croutons for salads or soups.
• Bread Pudding: Use stale Cottage Dill Bread to make a savory bread pudding.

Storage Instructions

To keep your Cottage Dill Bread fresh, store it properly:

• Room Temperature: Store the bread in an airtight container or bread bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: For longer storage, slice the bread and freeze it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the microwave before serving.

Troubleshooting

Here are some common problems and solutions when making Cottage Dill Bread:

• Dough Not Rising: If the dough isn’t rising, make sure your yeast is fresh and that the water is at the correct temperature. Also, ensure that the dough is in a warm place.
• Bread Too Dense: If the bread is too dense, you may have added too much flour or not kneaded it enough. Make sure to measure the flour accurately and knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic.
• Bread Too Dry: If the bread is too dry, you may have overbaked it. Bake the bread until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200-210°F (93-99°C).
• Crust Too Dark: If the crust is browning too quickly, tent the loaf with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
• Uneven Rise: If the loaf rises unevenly, make sure the loaf pan is evenly greased and that the dough is evenly distributed in the pan.

Cottage Dill Bread Recipe

Here’s the full recipe for easy reference:

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (105-115°F)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons dried dill weed
• 3 – 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the water and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. Add cottage cheese, milk, melted butter, salt, and dill weed to the yeast mixture. Stir well.
3. Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Continue adding flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled.
6. Punch down the dough. Shape into a loaf and place in a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
7. Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes, or until the dough reaches the top of the pan.
8. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
9. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200-210°F (93-99°C).
10. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Enjoy your delicious homemade Cottage Dill Bread! It’s a simple recipe that delivers outstanding flavor and is sure to become a family favorite.

Conclusion

This Cottage Dill Bread recipe is a testament to the fact that delicious homemade bread doesn’t have to be complicated. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can create a loaf that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for any occasion. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread. Your family and friends will thank you!