6. Put the Cheese on top:
Flatten the dough: Take each piece of dough and flatten it into a circle or oval shape, about 1/4-inch thick. Make sure the dough is rolled out evenly to prevent thin areas that may rip.
Advice: Sprinkle some flour on your rolling pin and work surface if the dough is sticking.
Put the Cheese: In the middle of each flattened dough circle, add 50 grams of the cheese you prefer, either mozzarella or cheddar. The cheese will become soft and gooey in the middle when baked, making it very tasty.
Tip: You can also put a little bit of herbs, such as oregano or basil, to give it more taste.
Second Increase:
Shape and position on a baking sheet: Fold the dough over the cheese and press the edges firmly to keep the cheese from spilling out while baking. Gently press down the dough balls a little and put them on a baking sheet covered with greased parchment paper.
Advice: To add a decorative touch, you can use a sharp knife to make a crisscross pattern on the tops of the dough balls.
Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 20 minutes. This last time the dough rises will make it puff up a bit, creating a lighter texture.
Advice: If your kitchen is cold, put the baking sheet close to a warm area, such as the back of the stove or in a slightly heated oven.
8. Egg Wash:
Make the Egg Wash: In a small bowl, mix 1 egg yolk with a teaspoon of water until it is smooth. This egg wash will make the bread look shiny and beautiful.
Advice: To make the color more golden, put a little bit of sugar in the egg wash.
Brush the Dough: With a pastry brush, lightly brush the top of the dough that has risen with the beaten egg. Make sure to cover the whole surface to get a uniform color.
Advice: Be careful not to let the egg wash spill onto the baking sheet because it can make the dough stick.
Make the bread in the oven.
Heat the oven: When the dough is rising for the second time, heat your oven to 200°C (390°F). A very hot oven is important to make the dough rise well and get a golden crust.
Advice: Make sure the oven rack is in the middle of the oven to bake evenly.
Baking instructions: Put the baking sheet in the oven that has been preheated. Bake the bread for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Advice: If you see the upper part of the bread getting too brown too fast, cover it with aluminum foil to avoid excessive browning.
Chill and serve:
After baking, take the bread out of the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool down. Let the bread cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting it. This will help the cheese to firm up and stop it from leaking out.
Advice: To make the bread even softer, you can gently brush some melted butter on the top while it is still warm.
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