Cheese Braided Bread

Name: Cheese Braided Bread
Prep time: 2 h 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 50 min
Yield: 24 serving(s)
Ingredients: 6 -7 cups flour; 1 tablespoon salt; 1 teaspoon sugar; 2 (1/4 ounce) packages yeast; 1 cup plain yogurt; 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine; 6 eggs (room temperature); 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded; 2 teaspoons milk

(1)

Recipe by Molly53

A handsome bread that smells and tastes divinely of cheese. From an old newspaper clipping I've had for years.

READY IN: 2hrs 50mins

SERVES: 24

UNITS: US

INGREDIENTS

Nutrition

6 -7

cups flour
1

tablespoon salt
1

teaspoon sugar
2

(1/4 ounce) packages yeast
1

cup plain yogurt
2

tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
6

eggs (room temperature)
8

ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
2

teaspoons milk

DIRECTIONS

Mix 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, sugar and yeast in a large bowl.
Combine yogurt, 1/2 cup water and butter in a saucepan; heat over low heat until warm.
Gradually add to dry ingredients and beat for two minutes at medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally.
Reserve 1 tablespoon beaten egg for topping; add remaining eggs, 1 cup flour and 1 1/2 cups cheese.
Beat on high for two minutes.
Stir in enough additional flour to make a stiff dough.
Turn out on lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic, about ten minutes.
Put in a greased bowl, turning to grease top of dough; cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about an hour).
Punch down; divide dough in half.
Divide each half into three pieces and shape each piece into a 12" rope.
Braid the three ropes together and pinch ends together to seal; repeat with the second loaf.
Place loaves into a greased 9 x 5" loaf pan, cover and let rise until doubled.
Combine reserved egg and milk; brush over loaves.
Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Bake in a preheated 375F oven 30 minutes or until done.
Remove from pans and cool on racks.