Cheese-Stuffed Milk Bread Loaf
Soft, fluffy milk bread filled with gooey melted cheese makes an incredible homemade loaf. The slightly sweet, tender bread pairs beautifully with the savory cheese filling.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2–3 tablespoons additional milk, if needed
For the filling:
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, optional
For the top:
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- A little shredded cheese, optional
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and instant yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes.
- Make the dough: Add the egg, flour, and salt. Mix until a rough dough forms. Add the softened butter and knead for about 8–10 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- Adjust the dough: If the dough feels very dry, add milk one tablespoon at a time. It should be soft and slightly tacky but not excessively sticky.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the cheese filling: Mix the mozzarella, cheddar, garlic powder, and parsley. Set aside.
- Shape the bread: Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a rectangle roughly the length of your loaf pan.
- Add the cheese: Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the dough, leaving about 1 inch around the edges. Drizzle with the melted butter.
- Roll it up: Starting from one long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seam closed and tuck the ends underneath.
- Place in the pan: Grease a standard loaf pan and place the filled dough inside, seam-side down.
- Second rise: Cover loosely and let it rise for another 30–45 minutes, until noticeably puffy.
- Prepare for baking: Brush the top with milk and sprinkle with a little extra cheese if desired.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 30–35 minutes, until the loaf is golden brown and cooked through.
- Finish with butter: Brush the hot loaf with melted butter as soon as it comes out of the oven.
- Cool: Let the bread cool for at least 15–20 minutes before slicing. This gives the cheese time to settle while keeping the bread soft.
Helpful Tip
For the best cheese pull, use low-moisture mozzarella. Don’t overload the center with cheese or leave gaps in the dough’s seam, because the filling can escape while baking.
This loaf is especially delicious served warm alongside soup, pasta, eggs, or simply sliced and eaten on its own.
