Cheesy Asiago Bread

• servings: 20 servings
• active time: 20 minutes
• total time: 1 hour 55 minutes

Ingredients

3 1/4 cups bread flour* (divided)

1 package instant yeast** (2 1/4 teaspoons)

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/4 cups 2% milk

2 tablespoons salted butter

1 1/2 cups shredded Asiago cheese (divided)

1 large egg

1 tablespoon warm water

Directions

In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together 1 1/2 cups flour, yeast, sugar, salt and pepper. Set aside. 3 1/4 cups bread flour*, 1 package instant yeast**, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Put the milk and in a microwave safe bowl. Heat the milk to 120-130ºF so that the butter starts melting. Make sure the temperature is just right so that it is warm enough to activate the yeast, but not kill it. Stir the milk mixture into the flour mixture and mix on low speed using the paddle attachment until smooth. Add in 1 1/4 cups shredded cheese and mix just until combined. 1 1/4 cups 2% milk, 2 tablespoons salted butter, 1 1/2 cups shredded Asiago cheese

Gradually add in the remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead in the stand mixer with the dough hook for 5 minutes. Don't add too much flour. It should still be a sticky dough, slightly sticking to the bottom of the bowl as it kneads.

Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Add the bread dough to the bowl, then turn the dough over so the cooking spray coats both sides of the dough. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean tea towel and let the dough rise in a warm place until it is nearly double (30-45 minutes).

After the dough is doubled, punch it down and use a serrated knife or dough cutter to divide the dough in two. Shape each piece of dough into a loaf. Place the loaves on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper. Cover the loaves with plastic wrap or a clean towel and allow them to rise again for 20-30 minutes. The loaves may not rise much, but that's ok. They'll spring up in the oven.

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Whisk together the egg and water in a small bowl. Brush the tops of the loaves with the egg wash, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. 1 large egg, 1 tablespoon warm water

Bake for 30-35 minutes until lightly golden brown. The internal temperature of the loaf should be 190ºF. Allow the loaf to cool, then slice and serve. It's also delicious served the next day!

Nutrition

• Calories: 126 kcal
• Total Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Cholesterol: 19 mg
• Sodium: 315 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 16 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g
• Total Sugars: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g