Muenster Bread
Taste of Home
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My sister and I won blue ribbons in 4-H with this bread many years ago. The recipe makes a beautiful, round golden loaf. With a layer of cheese peeking out of every slice, it's definitely worth the effort.
-Melanie Mero, Ida, Michigan
SERVINGS: 16
CATEGORY: Appetizer
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 20 min. + rising Bake: 45 min. + cooling
Ingredients:
- 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk (110° to 115°)
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3-1/4 to 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 4 cups (1 pound) shredded Muenster cheese
- 1 egg white, beaten
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in milk. Add butter, sugar, salt and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
In a large bowl, beat egg and yolk; stir in cheese. Punch down dough; roll into a 16-in. circle. Place in a greased 9-in. round baking pan, letting dough drape over the edges. Spoon the cheese mixture into center of dough. Gather dough up over filling in 1-1/2-in. pleats. Gently squeeze pleats together at top and twist to make a top knot. Allow to rise 10 to 15 minutes.
Brush loaf with egg white. Bake at 375° for 40-45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Serve warm. Yield: 1 loaf.