Description
Honeycomb Bread Stuffed with Cheese is a delightful baked treat featuring soft, fluffy bread rolls filled with melted mozzarella cheese and savory olives. These cheesy beehive-shaped bread balls are sprinkled with sesame seeds for added crunch and flavor, perfect as a snack or appetizer for gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1.5 cups Warm Water
- 2 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Filling
- 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (or mozzarella sticks)
- 1 cup Pitted Olives (any preferred variety)
Topping
- 1 large Egg White (optional, for egg wash)
- 3 tablespoons Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a bowl, combine yeast, warm water, and sugar. Let it rest for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make the dough: Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and allow it to rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until it doubles in size.
- Shape the dough balls: Punch down the dough to release air, divide it into 30 equal pieces, and roll each piece into a smooth ball.
- Add filling: Flatten each dough ball into a disk, place about 1 teaspoon of shredded mozzarella cheese and a few olives in the center, then pinch the dough closed completely to seal the filling inside.
- Arrange dough balls: Grease a 10-inch baking pan and arrange the filled dough balls closely together in a beehive or honeycomb pattern.
- Apply egg wash and seeds: Beat the egg white lightly and brush it over the top of the arranged dough balls. Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly on top for flavor and crunch.
- Bake the bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread in the middle rack for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops turn golden brown and the bread is cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Remove from oven and allow the honeycomb bread to cool slightly before serving warm, enjoying the gooey, cheesy inside with every pull-apart piece.
Notes
- You can substitute mozzarella with other melty cheeses like cheddar or provolone for a different flavor.
- For a crispier crust, brush the dough balls with whole egg wash instead of egg white before baking.
- Olives can be omitted or replaced with sun-dried tomatoes or roasted peppers for variation.
- Ensure no holes remain after pinching the dough balls to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
- The bread is best served warm but can be reheated gently to enjoy later.
