Loaded Bacon Cheddar Bread

Absolutely delicious. Thank you A Beautiful Bite

6 cups all purpose flour
3¼ cups warm water
2 tsp instant yeast
2 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
2¾ cup cheddar cheese, fresh grated not bagged
10 strips cooked thick cut bacon, chopped and divided
fresh ground black pepper to taste

• In a large mixing bowl combine water, yeast, salt and sugar.
• Allow mixture to sit for several minutes.
• Add flour, two cups of cheese, ½ bacon and fresh ground black pepper. 
• Stir with spoon until combined. 
• Dough will be shaggy. Don’t stress if it looks messy. It will come together in the end.
• Cover with a towel and allow to rise in a warm place for an hour.
• After an hour, turn dough out onto a floured board and knead for a few minutes. 
• It does not need to be completely smooth, just knead it long enough to come together 
• Place dough into a loaf pan.
• Cover loaf with remaining cheese and bacon. 
• Cover with towel and allow to rest for thirty minutes.
• Bake in a 400º oven for fifteen minutes. 
• Cover loosely with foil and reduce heat to 350º and continue baking for another 25 minutes. 
• Remove foil and allow to bake for another 5 minutes.