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Lighter Cheesy Garlic Herb Pull-Apart Bread

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A lighter, fluffier pull-apart bread packed with herby, cheesy, garlicky goodness. Made with whole wheat pastry flour and cottage cheese for a tender crumb, this easy recipe is perfect for a cozy night in and is sure to convert even the biggest skeptics.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
  • 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • ¼ cup cottage cheese (blended until smooth)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ cup cottage cheese (small curd)
  • 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 tsp dried parsley)
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped (or 1 tsp dried chives)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ¼ tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tbsp melted butter (or olive oil for dairy-free)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (for topping)
  • Flaky sea salt (for finishing)
  • Extra fresh herbs (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bloom the yeast: In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the warm milk and honey. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Make the dough: Add the blended cottage cheese, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine. Add 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour and 1 cup all-purpose flour. Mix with the dough hook on low speed until incorporated.
  3. Knead the dough: With the mixer on medium-low, add the remaining ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup at a time. Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
  4. First rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1 ½ hours, until doubled in size.
  5. Make the filling: While the dough rises, combine the remaining ½ cup cottage cheese, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, minced garlic, parsley, chives, oregano, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes in a medium bowl. Mix well and set aside.
  6. Shape the bread: Punch down the risen dough and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 12×8-inch rectangle. Cut into 24 small squares (about 2×2 inches each).
  7. Assemble the loaf: Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Take one dough square, flatten slightly, and place about a teaspoon of the cheese filling in the center. Pinch edges to seal, forming a ball. Place seam-side down in the pan. Repeat with remaining dough and filling, arranging in two rows.
  8. Second rise: Cover the pan with a towel and let rise for 30-45 minutes, until puffed and touching. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) during the last 15 minutes.
  9. Bake: Mix melted butter with remaining minced garlic. Brush over the top of the risen bread. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped. Tent with foil after 15 minutes if browning too quickly.
  10. Cool and serve: Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Garnish with extra fresh herbs. Serve warm.

Notes

Use whole wheat pastry flour for a lighter texture; regular whole wheat will make it dense. Don’t overfill the dough balls—about a teaspoon per ball is perfect. For best results, ensure milk is warm (about 110°F) to properly activate the yeast. The bread can be assembled up to the second rise and refrigerated overnight; let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: pull-apart bread, cheesy garlic bread, herb bread, whole wheat bread, lighter bread, game day recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/lighter-cheesy-garlic-herb-pull-apart-bread-easy-recipe/