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Whole Wheat Cheesy Bread

Cheesy Bread

Author: Heidi Boortz
Servings : 16

Ingredients

Bread

  • 2 1/2 cup water divided
  • 3 1/4 cup 100% whole wheat flour pastry flour preferred
  • 2 tsp vital wheat gluten
  • 1 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp bread machine yeast

Toppings

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups mozzarella or more, to taste
  • 1 Tbsp garlic powder

Instructions

  • Heat 1 1/2 cups water until warm but not boiling (about 1 minute on high in the microwave). Add warm water, flour, gluten and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer. (See notes for hand kneading.) Add yeast.
  • Fit mixer with the dough hook attachment. Mix on low speed 3-5 minutes or until a dough ball is formed and cleans the sides of the bowl.
  • Preheat oven to 450.
  • Lightly dust work surface with flour. Turn dough out onto work surface. Divide in half.
  • Lightly grease baguette pan or line a baking sheet with parchment. Working with one half at a time, roll into a rectangle about 6 X 10. Starting at one of the long ends, roll into a log, pinching at the seam to seal. Fold ends under and pinch to seal. Place in prepared baguette pan or on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with other half.
  • With a sharp knife, slice several diagonal cuts into the surface of each log, no more than 1/4 inch deep.
  • Place 1 cup of water in an oven safe bowl or glass measuring cup. Place water in oven, on the bottom rack or somewhere where it won't tip over when the bread is added.
  • Bake bread at 450 for 20-25 minutes or until browned. Tapping on the surface of the bread should produce a hollow sound when done.
  • Allow to cool slightly. Cut loaves in half the long way and lay on a baking sheet cut sides up.
  • Spread each half with butter. Sprinkle evenly with garlic powder. Top with cheese. Bake at 450 7-8 minutes or until cheese is melted. Broil 1-2 minutes to brown cheese slightly.

Notes

To knead by hand:
Add flour, gluten, and salt to a bowl.  Mix well.  Add warm water and stir until the dough is too tough to stir, then mix with your hands until a manageable dough ball is formed.  Turn dough ball out onto a work surface slightly dusted with flour.  Knead 10-20 more times.  Follow shaping directions as above.