Muenster Bread

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. + rising Bake: 40 min. + cooling

Makes

1 loaf (16 pieces)

Updated: Feb. 18, 2022
Many years ago my sister and I won blue ribbons in 4-H with this bread. The recipe makes a beautiful golden loaf with cheese peeking out of every slice. —Melanie Mero, Ida, Michigan

Ingredients

  • 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm 2% 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 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
  • 4 cups shredded Muenster cheese
  • 1 large egg white, beaten

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in milk. Add the butter, sugar, salt and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
  2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 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.
  3. In a large bowl, beat egg and yolk; stir in cheese. Punch down dough; roll into a 16-in. circle.
  4. Place in a greased 10-in. cast-iron skillet or 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 topknot. Let rise 10-15 minutes.
  5. Brush loaf with egg white. Bake at 375° for 40-45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 273 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 399mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 11g protein.