Bacon-Cheddar Mini-Loaves

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In a medium bowl, lightly beat together eggs and milk. Pour milk mixture and melted butter into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

[For flavoring:]

8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped, 2 teaspoons bacon fat reserved
1 cup finely chopped onion
3-1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, heat bacon fat. Add onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Let cool.

Add onion, bacon, and 1-1/2 cups cheddar to [dough] and stir until combined. Transfer to 4 nonstick mini-loaf pans (5-3/4 by 3 inches). Sprinkle top of each loaf with 1/2 cup remaining cheddar.

Bake until a skewer tests clean when inserted into the center, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove loaves from pans and let cool on a wire rack.

Makes 4 mini-loaves.

From Southern Living magazine, Dec./Jan. 2011, p. 127-28.