Description
Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread is a warm, festive, and irresistible treat packed with gooey cheeses, aromatic herbs, and soft, tender bread pieces designed to be pulled apart and shared. Perfect for holiday celebrations, it combines an easy preparation process with customizable flavors, making it a cozy and beautiful addition to any festive table.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Cheese & Flavoring
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese blend (mozzarella, cheddar, gouda)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh or dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon fresh or dried thyme
For Brushing
- 3 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil (for brushing layers and top)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Bloom the yeast by combining the active dry yeast with warm milk and a pinch of sugar in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until frothy. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Gradually add the yeast mixture and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Mix and knead the dough until it is smooth, soft, and elastic, springing back when poked. Cover the dough and place it in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Shape and Layer the Bread: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 12 by 15 inch rectangle. Brush the surface generously with melted butter or olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with the shredded cheese blend, minced garlic, and herbs (rosemary and thyme). Cut the dough into squares or strips. Stack or arrange the pieces in a loaf pan or bundt pan, layering cheese and herbs evenly to create a pull-apart effect.
- Second Rise and Bake: Cover the layered dough and let it rise again in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes until slightly puffy. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 30 to 35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the cheese has melted throughout. If the top browns too quickly, tent it loosely with foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool slightly so the cheese sets just enough to hold together but remains gooey. Serve warm by pulling apart the cheesy sections with your fingers, perfect for sharing.
Notes
- Use fresh yeast and check expiration for best results.
- Do not skip the second rise to maintain a soft and airy texture.
- Choose a blend of melty and sharp cheeses for best flavor and texture.
- Brush each dough layer generously with melted butter or oil to keep the bread moist and flavorful.
- Serve the bread warm to enjoy the gooey cheese pull at its best.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 to 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/10 of loaf)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: cheesy pull apart bread, holiday bread, Christmas bread, festive bread, pull apart bread, cheesy bread
