Garlic and Cheese Bread Twist ~ A Loaf to Love!

If you love a good, cheesy loaf of garlic bread, then I encourage you to continue reading! Using your favorite bread recipe, just add a few extras to make your basic loaf into something special. Have I mentioned how delicious it is when hot and slathered in butter?

First off, prepare your favorite bread dough. Ours is a whole wheat blend with a few added seeds (flax and chia) for that hearty chewiness. I don't know if they retain their nutritional value when baked but it's worth a try! The dough has already risen once at this point...

Now, roll it out into a rectangle on an oiled surface (as if you are making cinnamon rolls). I would say about 12 by 9 inches but it really doesn't need to be precise.

Next, smear about 1/8 cup of melted butter across the dough. This is one of those approximate recipes so if it looks like it needs more, put more. If it looks like too much, then cut back. You just want to cover the dough with a coat of butter.

Mince about 2 - 3 cloves of fresh garlic. If you don't have a garlic press, you may want to consider purchasing one. They make the world of garlic so simple because you don't have to peel them first, just pop in and press! Evenly spread (or smear, rather) the minced garlic across your buttery dough.

Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese, about a cup (or to generously cover dough). I wouldn't use the pre-shredded stuff because of all the anti-caking agents which hinder your cheese from melting nicely.

Gently roll the dough into a log (using the longer length end). When you reach the end, pinch the dough sides together to keep them together. 

Carefully move the dough log onto a greased cookie sheet and hope that it fits!

Cut across the middle of your dough with a pizza cutter. Leave one end of your log uncut by 1/2 inch.

Here is where it gets a bit messy. Carefully open up the dough on each side to expose the middle cheese part.

Twist the two pieces of dough, up and under each other (while trying to keep the cheese part opened and faced up) until you get to the end. Pinch the ends together and fold under to seal them. Don't worry if it comes out messy, it will still taste good! At this point, you may sprinkle on some grated parmesan cheese and cover with a cloth. 

Let dough rise one hour. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees until golden brown (about 15-20 minutes though each oven and bread dough is different). 

Before removing from the oven, check the bottom with a spatula to make sure it is golden brown as well. If it is, then it is ready! After about 5 minutes (when bread has settled), you can carefully move it to a cooling rack. Serve with hot soup and a green, leafy salad… 

"Give us this day our daily bread."

~ Matthew 6:11

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Make it Yourself Mondays,  Homestead Barn Hop, Natural Living Tuesday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Simple Living Wednesdays and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. I learned how to make this garlic cheese twist from dear, Marmee.