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Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread

Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread
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Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread is a festive and indulgent treat featuring soft, fluffy dough layered with a gooey blend of mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses. Perfect for sharing during holiday gatherings, this pull-apart bread offers a golden crust and savory bite that combines comfort, customization, and eye-catching presentation, making it a seasonal favorite for all ages.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp salt

Cheese Filling

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh herbs (rosemary or parsley), finely chopped (optional)

Finishing

  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: Activate the yeast by stirring it into the warm milk along with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is alive. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, softened butter, and the yeast mixture. Knead the dough either by hand or with a stand mixer for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover the dough and place it in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
  2. Prepare the Cheese Filling: While the dough rises, grate the mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses. If using fresh herbs like rosemary or parsley, finely chop and mix them into the cheese blend. This mixture will create the gooey pockets within the bread.
  3. Assemble the Bread: Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down and divide it into equal-sized balls (about 12-15). Flatten each ball slightly, place a generous amount of the cheese mixture inside, then pinch the dough edges to seal and form cheese-filled pockets. Arrange the dough balls close together in a greased loaf pan or round baking dish so they touch each other for easy pulling apart after baking.
  4. Final Rise and Egg Wash: Cover the assembled bread and allow it to rise again for about 30 minutes until puffy. Just before baking, brush the top of the dough balls with the beaten egg to create a shiny, golden crust.
  5. Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 25 to 30 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese inside is melted and bubbling slightly beneath. Remove from oven and let it cool briefly to avoid hot cheese spills before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh yeast with a valid expiration date to ensure good rise.
  • Don’t overfill the dough balls with cheese to prevent bursting or leaking during baking.
  • Bring eggs, milk, and butter to room temperature before mixing for better texture and rise.
  • Arrange dough balls close but neatly for a connected pull-apart bread.
  • Apply egg wash carefully to achieve a perfect glossy crust without sogginess.

Nutrition

Keywords: pull apart bread, cheesy bread, holiday bread, Christmas bread, appetizer, festive bread, cheesy pull apart

Find it online: https://marycorner.com/cheesy-pull-apart-christmas-bread/