Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease or spray a loaf pan.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, garlic powder, and salt, whisking to blend evenly. Fold in the shredded cheddar until coated.

In a different bowl, beat together the milk, egg, and melted butter until uniform.

Gently incorporate the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring only until the batter comes together—avoid overmixing.

Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the crust is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.

Cool the bread on a wire rack within the pan briefly, then turn it out, slice, and serve warm or at room temperature.