Preparing Bread For Cheese Fondue: A Quick Guide

Cheese fondue is a Swiss dish that gained popularity in the US in the 1960s and remains a favourite today. The best bread for cheese fondue is a crusty, rustic loaf with a thick crust, such as a baguette or sourdough. The crust provides a good contrast to the creamy fondue and holds up well to the cheese. If you're feeling ambitious, you can make your own bread, but a store-bought loaf works just as well. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes so that it can be easily skewered and dipped into the fondue. For an extra touch of flavour, brush the bread with garlic butter before baking.

Choose a crusty, rustic loaf, like sourdough, French, or baguette

When it comes to choosing the perfect bread for your cheese fondue, a crusty, rustic loaf like sourdough, French, or baguette is an excellent option. Here's why:

Firstly, the crustiness of these loaves provides a delightful textural contrast to the creamy, melted cheese. That crispy exterior adds a satisfying bite to the dipping experience. Secondly, rustic loaves tend to have a denser texture, which makes them ideal for soaking up all that cheesy goodness without falling apart.

Sourdough, with its distinctive tangy flavour, adds a nice twist to the fondue experience. The slight acidity of the sourdough complements the richness of the cheese. French bread, or a baguette, on the other hand, offers a more neutral flavour profile, allowing the cheese to truly shine.

When preparing your chosen loaf, cut it into bite-sized cubes or slices. This ensures that each piece has plenty of crust and is easy to skewer or dip into the fondue pot. You can also get creative and make your own bread bowls for a fun presentation. Hollow out the loaf, fill it with cheese fondue, and serve it alongside the bread cubes for dipping.

Remember, the key to a great fondue experience is to have a variety of dipping options, so don't be afraid to experiment with different types of crusty, rustic breads. The more options, the merrier!

Cut the loaf into 1-inch cubes

Cutting the loaf into 1-inch cubes is an important step when preparing bread for cheese fondue. This size ensures that the bread can be easily skewered and dipped into the fondue pot. It also creates a bite-sized portion that is convenient for guests to pick up and enjoy.

To achieve uniform cubes, start by slicing the loaf of bread into even slices about 1 inch thick. Then, cut each slice into 1-inch wide strips. Finally, cut the strips into 1-inch cubes. It is important to be precise in your cuts to ensure evenly sized cubes.

The type of bread you use is also important. Crusty bread, such as a French baguette or sourdough, is a popular choice for cheese fondue as it holds up well to dipping and has a delicious contrast of textures. A rustic, hearty loaf, such as a country loaf or a brown loaf, can also be a great option, offering a more robust flavour and a chewier texture.

If you are feeling ambitious, you can even bake your own bread specifically for the fondue. This allows you to customise the flavour and texture to your liking. There are many recipes available online, and some even include instructions for creating the perfect 1-inch cubes, such as pre-cutting the dough before baking so that it bakes together in the oven.

Try a whole wheat walnut bread

When it comes to cheese fondue, bread is the most popular dipper. If you're looking for something a little different to the standard French bread, baguette, breadsticks, or croutons, why not try a whole wheat walnut bread?

A whole wheat walnut bread will add a nutty flavour to your cheese fondue experience. It's a hearty, healthy choice, and the crust will stand up well to the cheese. You can make your own, or buy it ready-made. If you want to make your own, you'll need bread flour, whole wheat flour, walnuts, flaxseed meal, salt, yeast, and water. The process is simple: combine the dry ingredients, add the water, and stir. Leave the dough to rise, fold the edges into the centre, and leave again to rise. Then, bake in the oven.

To serve with fondue, cut the bread into large cubes. You can lightly toast the bread first, but this is optional. Don't forget to serve your fondue with a selection of other dippers, like vegetables, cured meats, or fruit, and provide fondue forks or skewers for your guests.

Bake your own bread with a mix of brown and white flour

Ingredients

• 500g strong white flour, plus extra for dusting
• 250g organic wholemeal flour
• 7g sachet fast-action yeast
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 300ml water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 25g butter, cut into cubes

Method

• Mix the white and brown flours together in a large bowl. Add the yeast, salt, and sugar, and mix well.
• Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and add the olive oil and water. Mix well, adding an extra 1-2 tablespoons of water if the dough seems stiff.
• Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for around 10 minutes, until the dough is satin-smooth.
• Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with cling film. Leave to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
• Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Knock back the dough (punch the air out and pull the dough in on itself) and gently mould it into a ball.
• Place the dough on the baking tray and leave to prove for a further hour, until doubled in size.
• Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7.
• Dust the loaf with some extra flour and cut a cross about 6cm long into the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped underneath. Cool on a wire rack.

Dip the bread in garlic butter before baking

Preparing the bread for a cheese fondue can be done in many ways, but one popular method is to dip the bread in garlic butter before baking. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:

Firstly, you will need to gather your ingredients. For this method, you will require bread (a loaf of sourdough or any bread of your choice), butter, fresh garlic cloves, and some additional herbs such as parsley and oregano. You will also need a brush for applying the garlic butter.

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). While the oven is heating up, prepare your garlic butter. Melt the butter and mix it with crushed or minced garlic. You can also add some finely chopped parsley and oregano to the mixture for extra flavour.

Next, cut the bread into bite-sized cubes. You can decide the size of the cubes based on your preference. Once the bread is cut, dip each cube into the garlic butter mixture, ensuring that all sides are coated. You can use a brush to apply the garlic butter evenly.

Place the bread cubes on a baking sheet, leaving some space between each one to allow for even cooking. You can also line the baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Now, bake the bread in the preheated oven. The baking time will depend on your oven and the desired level of browning, but it should take around 15-20 minutes for the bread to turn golden brown and cook through. Keep an eye on the bread to ensure it doesn't burn.

Once the bread is baked to your liking, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. These garlic butter bread cubes are now ready to be dipped into your cheese fondue!

This method of preparing the bread adds a delicious layer of flavour that complements the cheese fondue beautifully. The garlic butter also helps to enhance the texture of the bread, making it a perfect vessel for dipping into the fondue.

Frequently asked questions