A rich, rustic bread infused with dried Black Jack (Chuchuza), filled with creamy blue cheese, and finished with roasted garlic butter and a touch of apricot glaze. It’s a flavour-packed tribute to indigenous ingredients — perfect for sharing or enjoying solo with pride.
Black Jack & Blue Cheese Crown Bread
Ingredients
- 7 g instant yeast
- 50 g cold butter
- 135 ml warm milk
- 1 egg beaten
- 250 g white bread flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tablespoons dried Black Jack Chuchuza
- 150 g blue cheese crumbled or chopped
- 120 g softened butter mixed with roasted garlic for spreading
- 2 tablespoons FruitBat Apricot Jam or hot honey for glaze
- Fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Make the dough
- In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and dried Black Jack.
- Add the cold butter and rub into the dry mixture with your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs.
- Create a well in the center. Add milk, yeast, and beaten egg.
- Mix until a dough forms, then knead:
- 5 minutes with a mixer on medium speed
- 10 minutes by hand on a lightly floured surface
First Rise
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and leave in a warm place for about 1 hour 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Shape and Fill
- Punch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured or oiled surface.
- Spread the roasted garlic butter evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle the blue cheese generously across the surface.
- Fold or roll the dough into your preferred shape — a crown is stunning for presentation
Second Rise
- Place shaped dough onto a lined baking tray.
- Cover and let rise again for about 30 minutes.
Bake
- Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F).
- Bake the bread for 20–30 minutes, until golden and hollow-sounding when tapped underneath.
Glaze& Garnish
- While still warm, brush with apricot jam or hot honey for a shiny, sweet finish.
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for colour and aroma.
This bread is more than a recipe — it’s a statement. An edible celebration of our indigenous ingredients, reinvented for modern kitchens. Let me know how it turns out — and don’t forget to tag me @Neliswa_Daily when you try it! 🍞✨