Pull-apart cheese bread
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Instructions
Use a food processor
A food processor makes it so much easier to prepare the dough. It helps the gluten develop properly, giving the dough a smooth, elastic texture. It ensures the bread comes out light and airy, with those perfect layers that pull apart effortlessly, revealing the melted cheese within. It also saves time, making the process simple.
Let the dough rest
Resting the dough gives the yeast time to activate and do its job, helping the dough rise properly. This creates the light, airy texture needed for pull-apart bread. Without this resting period, the dough would remain dense, lacking the fluffiness that makes each piece soft and easy to pull apart. The second rise after shaping is equally important, as it ensures the layers expand, resulting in a tender bread with a satisfying, pillowy texture when baked.
Optimal baking practices
Position your loaf on the lower rack of the oven to ensure that it bakes evenly. This allows the heat to circulate effectively, guaranteeing the top develops a golden finish while the interior remains soft and tender. If the top begins to brown too quickly, cover it with foil to protect it from excessive heat while allowing the inside to cook through.
Prevent cheese from burning
To avoid over-browning the cheese, cover the bread with foil as soon as the top becomes golden. This way, the bread continues baking without risking the cheese becoming too dark. Another option is to use parchment paper to form a tent over the loaf, ensuring the cheese melts consistently while maintaining its golden hue. This keeps the bread soft and the cheese gooey.
FAQ: Questions about pull-apart cheese bread
Planning a gathering or a cosy night in? Our pull-apart cheese bread is a sure hit. Find answers to your questions about the recipe below, ensuring you get the best from this tasty creation every time you bake.
Ingredients
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Flour (plus extra for rolling)
|
600 g |
|---|---|
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Milk
|
400 ml |
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Egg
|
1 |
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Dry yeast
|
2 tsp |
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Salt
|
1 tsp |
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Olive oil
|
2 tbsp |
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Rocket and pesto cream cheese
|
75 g |
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Mozzarella
|
100 g |
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Soft and fluffy pull-apart cheese bread
Golden and bubbling with cheese, pull-apart cheese bread makes a tempting centrepiece for any table. As you pull apart each piece, you uncover a delicious blend of crispy crust and a soft, airy interior filled with gooey mozzarella and rocket-pesto cream cheese. The cheese stretches beautifully, revealing an irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth softness inside. Each bite comes with the satisfying crunch of the golden crust and a warm, creamy centre.
With mozzarella and rocket-pesto cream cheese
The combination of mozzarella and rocket and pesto cream cheese makes this pull-apart bread truly special. The mozzarella cheese melts smoothly, offering a satisfying stretch, while the rocket and pesto cream cheese adds a hint of herbaceous, peppery flavour that infuses every layer marvellously. This provides a creamy texture and freshness that complement the dough’s light and airy structure.
The easiest side dish, snack, and appetiser
This pull-apart cheese bread fits right in with any meal, whether as a simple side dish, a satisfying snack, or an appetiser to share. It pairs seamlessly with dishes like soups, salads, or grilled meat with its warm and cheesy goodness. You can also serve it with a cheese and charcuterie board or a tapas-style dinner. It is ideal for gatherings, and its pull-apart style invites everyone to dig in. Its light, fluffy texture and melty cheese make it an irresistible choice for casual dinners or festive occasions.
Explore some other baking recipes with flavourful ingredients like these tasty pesto bread rolls, delicious chickpea flour flatbread, irresistible chorizo pizza, or butternut squash pizza.
Customisable to suit your taste
This recipe is easy to customise, from the dough to the spreads. Garlic and cheese are a classic combination, so spread some roasted garlic butter between the dough layers for a warm, aromatic flavour and a gooey, cheesy bread. The roasted garlic adds a rich, caramelised taste that blends beautifully with the cheese, offering a well-rounded, savoury bite in every piece.
You can also experiment with different cheeses. Cheddar provides a sharp, tangy bite, while Gouda offers a mild, nutty taste.
For a fragrant twist, try a rosemary-infused homemade dough by adding fresh, chopped rosemary. Rosemary’s piney aroma adds a fresh, earthy note to the bread, which complements the rich, cheesy filling.
Using herb butter instead of olive oil is another way to boost the flavour of the dough. Mix melted butter with fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, or rosemary to get a fragrant, buttery richness that pairs well with the cheesy filling. For more flavour, consider adding sun-dried tomatoes, jalapeños, or olives to the dough.
