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