Instructions: Pour water into large mixing bowl. Sprinkle yeast and sugar over water; stir to dissolve. Set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes.

Add 1 1/2 cups of Cheddar cheese, chives, butter and salt; mix until combined. Beat in flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough is soft and sticky.

Cover; let rise in warm place until doubled in size, 1 hour.

Punch down dough with wooden spoon; mix 1 minute. Place dough on floured work surface; cut in half. Place each half in a greased 9-by-5 inch loaf pan; smooth top. Sprinkle tops with remaining 2 tablespoons of the Cheddar.

Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in warm place until doubled in size, 45 minutes.

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Bake until loaves are golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped, about 30 minutes. Cool in pans on wire rack 30 minutes. Remove from pans to cool completely.

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