Description
This Asiago Cheese Bread recipe yields two small loaves of soft, cheesy bread with a golden crust and rich Asiago flavor. Perfect as a savory snack or alongside meals, it features a tender crumb infused with Asiago cheese and a lightly peppered dough, finished with an egg wash and extra cheese topping for a beautiful golden finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2¼ cups bread flour (divided)
- 2¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
Mix-ins and Toppings:
- 2¼ cups shredded Asiago cheese (divided use)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 2 tbsp water (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl, combine 1½ cups of bread flour, instant yeast, sugar, salt, and black pepper until evenly mixed.
- Warm Milk & Butter: Heat milk and butter in a saucepan or microwave-safe container until the mixture reaches 120–130ºF, just enough to start melting the butter.
- Combine: Add the warm milk and butter mixture to the dry ingredients and beat until the batter is smooth. Stir in 1¼ cups of shredded Asiago cheese into the mixture.
- Knead the Dough: Attach the dough hook to the mixer and gradually add about 1¾ cups more bread flour while kneading. Continue kneading for 5 minutes until the dough becomes soft and slightly sticky.
- First Rise: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 30–45 minutes.
- Shape Loaves: Punch down the risen dough, divide it into two equal pieces, and shape each into a loaf. Place the loaves on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaves loosely and allow them to rise again for 20–30 minutes, until puffed.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Prepare an egg wash by mixing the egg with water, then brush it over the loaves. Sprinkle the remaining shredded Asiago cheese on top. Bake the loaves for 30–35 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the internal temperature reaches 190ºF.
- Cool & Serve: Let the breads cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for best yeast activation and dough consistency.
- Make sure milk mixture is not too hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Substitute Asiago cheese with Parmesan or another hard cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Check the bread with a thermometer to ensure it reaches 190ºF internally for a fully baked loaf.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container to keep it fresh for up to 3 days.
