Cheesy garlic pull apart loaf 🍞🧄
For the dough:
500g flour
1 tsp salt
300ml warm milk
1 egg
10g sugar
7g yeast
50g melted unsalted butter
1. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, whisk the milk, sugar, instant yeast, butter and egg
2. Add the flour and salt, knead for 10-15 mins until a smooth dough forms
3. Form the dough into a ball then place it in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic film and proof for 1-2 hours until doubled in size
For the garlic butter and cheese:
200g cheese
15g cilantro, finely copped
1 head garlic, grated
70g unsalted room temp butter
1. In a bowl, combine the room temp butter, garlic and parsley
2. Punch the gas out of the dough and roll it out of a lightly floured surface into a 12x15” rectangle
3. Spread the garlic butter onto the dough Reserve 1 tbsp of the garlic butter, you’ll need it later to brush the bread after baking
4. Add the cheese
5. Cut the dough horizontally 3 times
6. Cut the dough vertically, 4 times. You’ll have 12 squares total
7. Stack 3 squares on top of each other and place in a lined bread pan (8x4”)
8. Repeat the process until you run out of dough
9. Cover the pan with plastic film and allow to rise until doubled in size. 30-40 mins
10. Bake in a preheated oven at 350F for 40 mins. Cover with foil after 30 mins to prevent the top from browning too much
11. Brush with garlic butter and serve
Making this cheesy garlic pull-apart loaf at home is such a rewarding experience because it combines the irresistible flavors of garlic, butter, and cheese in every pull-apart piece. From my experience, kneading the dough for 10 to 15 minutes until it’s smooth is key to achieving a soft and airy bread. A stand mixer with a dough hook makes this easier, but hand kneading works well too if you have some patience. Letting the dough proof until it doubles in size is crucial for the best texture. I usually proof it in a warm place covered with plastic wrap to keep the moisture. Meanwhile, preparing the garlic butter mixture with freshly grated garlic and finely chopped cilantro adds a freshness and aromatic punch that fills your kitchen with wonderful smells. When rolling out the dough, dust the surface lightly with flour to avoid sticking but don’t overdo it, so the dough stays soft. Layering the dough squares with the cheese and garlic butter and stacking them is a clever technique to ensure each bite is cheesy and flavorful. I recommend using a good melting cheese like mozzarella or cheddar. Covering the bread with foil after 30 minutes in the oven helps prevent over-browning while allowing the bread to bake fully. Brushing on the reserved garlic butter right after baking enhances the flavor and adds a glossy finish. Serving the pull-apart loaf warm is the best because the cheese is gooey and the garlic butter is fresh. It’s perfect alongside soups, salads, or as a sharing appetizer at gatherings. This recipe is not only tasty but also fun to make, giving you that homemade bread satisfaction without needing advanced baking skills. Enjoy experimenting with different herbs or cheeses to personalize your loaf!
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