Cheese Loaf Bread - Birthday Post

You might be wondering. A bread for birthday? No, we had cakes but i baked bread and there were birthdays.

25th & 26th were both my girlfriends' birthdays. They are my special people and that's all needed to be said. So happy birthday, you two. After knowing you for 20 years, I believe i'll still strive my best to give you a surprise birthday!

I took the recipe from Clockwork Lemon (a recipe I have wanted to try for so long), used Cheese instead and voila.

Cheese Loaf Bread (adapted from Clockwork Lemon)

makes two 9x5" loaves

Sponge

7 g instant yeast

15 g sugar

375 ml warm milk (comfortable for hand)

300 g bread flour

Dough

2 eggs

9 g salt

350 g bread flour (more if humid)

125 g butter at rm temp (cut in pieces)

50 g sugar

Cheese Filling

35 g butter at room temp

50 g mozzarella cheese cubed

50 g cheddar grated

a pinch of pepper

1: Make the Sponge

In a bowl, combine the sponge ingredients and stir until smooth. Cover with plastic and kitchen towel, leave at warm area for 30 minutes or until sponge doubles in volume.

2. Make the Dough

Add the eggs, salt, sugar and half of the flour to the sponge mixture. Knead in butter piece by piece, until all the butter has been incorporated. Add in remaining flour only as needed (depends on humidity of your climate), to produce a smooth and silky dough. Dough should feel smooth and satiny, not stiff. Knead thoroughly.

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic and towel. Leave to rise and double for about 1.5 hours.

Meanwhile, make the filling by combining all filling ingredients together.

3. Shape the Loaves

Once dough has doubled, divide into 2 pieces. Roll each out into 25x35 cm rectangles. Spread half the filling mixture onto each rectangle and roll along the long side. 

Cut the log lengthwise, the open sides at the top, gently twirl both pieces into a braid.

Grease generously a loaf pan and let loaves rest in the pan covered with plastic and towel for 45-60 minutes until double in volume.

4. Bake the Loaves

Preheat oven at 350F / 175C. Bake for 40-50 minutes. If top of loaves become too dark, cover with aluminum and continue baking.

Remove from pan and let cool completely before slicing. The top is heavier, slicing while warm may squish the bread.  

Let's admire that softness....

making these again,

Jes-chomps