Sausage Cheese Braid

Name: Sausage Cheese Braid
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 2 loaves.
Ingredients: 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast; 1-1/4 cups warm water (110° to 115°); 2 tablespoons sugar; 1-1/2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 large egg; 1/4 cup butter, softened; 4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 pound bulk spicy pork sausage; 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella or cheddar cheese; GLAZE:; 1 large egg

Meet the Cook: My husband and I have three married daughters, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren - and they all like this. It's good for a snack anytime, too. -Christena Weed, Levant, Kansas

Ingredients

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1-1/4 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
2 tablespoons sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 large egg
1/4 cup butter, softened
4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 pound bulk spicy pork sausage
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella or cheddar cheese
GLAZE:
1 large egg

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add sugar, salt, Italian seasoning, 1 egg, butter and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Add 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.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage until no longer pink; drain and set aside to cool.
Punch the dough down; divide in half. On a floured surface, roll each half into a 14x12-in. rectangle. Cut each one into three 14x4-in. strips. Combine cheese and sausage; spoon 1/2 cup down the center of each strip. Bring long edges together over filling; pinch to seal.
Place three strips with seam side down on greased baking sheets. Braid strips together; secure ends. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Beat remaining egg and brush over loaves. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Immediately remove from baking sheets to wire racks. Serve warm.