February is all about love and this recipe will make you fall hard and fast! And even though true love can be a bit cheesy, in this case cheesy never tasted so good! This pull-apart bread fresh from the oven is so delicious, you'll want to write it love poems, shout it from the rooftops, and whisk it away for a long evening. Enjoy it yourself or share it with someone you love. Go ahead, embrace the cheesy!
Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread with Dipping Sauce
3 tablespoons brown sugar 2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast 1 cup warm water 2 teaspoons salt 1/4 cup olive oil 3 cups flour 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons garlic powder 2 teaspoons oregano 2 teaspoons basil 2 teaspoons marjoram 2 teaspoons parsley 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup butter, melted 1 bottle marinara sauce
Directions In a large mixing bowl with a dough hook, combine brown sugar and yeast. Pour warm water on top and allow to sit for 5 minutes, or until top is foamy and thick. Add salt, oil and flour, then mix until a ball of dough forms. Knead on low speed for three minutes, then transfer dough to a large cutting board and roll out into a rectangle. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into two-inch squares and allow to sit while you prepare the other ingredients. In a small mixing bowl, combine the parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, basil, marjoram and parsley. Liberally spray a bundt cake pan with non-stick spray, then drop a layer of dough squares along the bottom. Next, sprinkle two liberal spoonfuls of the parmesan mixture onto the dough, followed by a layer of shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat with additional layers of dough, parmesan mixture and cheddar cheese until the dough is used. (You should have about half of your parmesan mixture leftover.) Drizzle the warm, melted butter over the top then cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise 30-45 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on top. While bread is cooking, combine marinara sauce and remaining parmesan mixture in a saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally and allow the sauce to thicken and reduce while the bread bakes.
Once the bread is out of the oven, allow it to sit for a few minutes before transferring to a serving plate. Serve warm with warm dipping sauce.