Pa's Pepper Cheddar Cheese Bread

I love handwritten recipes ... this one is by my Daddy's hand.

He was actually a pretty decent cook although I don't remember him in the kitchen very much until he was on his own.  There would occasionally be a potluck lunch or snack day at his work and he would bring home a recipe for something he had sampled that day.  He would get the ingredients together and give it a try.  He made the first sausage balls and the first almond bark candy in our house and continued to make both every Christmas season as long as he could.  After Mother died, every other week or so he would cook and invite us over for a big lunch. 

His recipe for Pepper Cheddar Cheese Bread became one of my favorites.

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper (I think Daddy may have increased this some)

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup sour cream

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup melted butter

2 eggs (would probably mix better if beaten first, but then it wouldn't make such a cute face)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Whisk together all dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Stir in remaining ingredients until well blended and begins to form a ball.  Press dough into a greased and floured 9- x 5-inch loaf pan.  Bake for 35 minutes.  Let cool in pan a few minutes; remove and let cool completely or serve warm if you prefer.     

This makes such a pretty loaf of bread and slices like a dream.  It's also delicious with the Turnip Green Stew.