Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread (Baked Cheese Bread)
Description
A soft, fluffy bread loaded with melted cheese and baked until golden and bubbly. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or side dish.
Ingredients
For the dough
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All-purpose flour – 3 cups (360 g)
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Warm milk – 1 cup (240 ml)
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Instant yeast – 2¼ tsp (1 packet)
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Sugar – 2 tbsp
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Salt – 1 tsp
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Unsalted butter – 3 tbsp, melted
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Egg – 1 (optional, for richer dough)
For the cheese filling
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Mozzarella cheese – 2 cups, shredded
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Cheddar cheese – 1½ cups, shredded
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Garlic powder – 1 tsp
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Dried oregano or Italian seasoning – 1 tsp
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Black pepper – ½ tsp
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Chili flakes – optional
For topping
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Butter – 2 tbsp, melted
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Extra cheese – ½ cup
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Fresh parsley – optional
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
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In a large bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Rest 5–10 minutes until foamy.
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Add melted butter, egg, salt, and flour.
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Mix and knead for 8–10 minutes until soft and elastic.
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Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Filling
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In a bowl, combine mozzarella, cheddar, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, and chili flakes.
3. Shape the Bread
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Punch down the dough and roll it into a large rectangle.
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Cut the dough into thick strips.
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Fill each strip generously with the cheese mixture.
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Fold or stack the strips and place them tightly into a greased round baking pan.
4. Final Rise
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Cover and let rest for 20 minutes.
5. Bake
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Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
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Brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle extra cheese.
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Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
6. Serve
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Garnish with parsley.
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Serve warm for best cheese pull.
Tips
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Use a mix of cheeses for better flavor and stretch.
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Add cooked chicken, jalapeños, or olives for variation.
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Serve with marinara or garlic sauce.

