Soft swirled bread with layers of warm dough, melty cheese, and spicy pickled jalapeños. This bread is easy to make, requires simple ingredients but the presentation is so beautiful.
In a large mixing bowl, (or the bowl of a stand mixer, if using) whisk together the warm milk, sugar, and the yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes, until foamy and active.
Add the egg, flour, and salt and mix together until you have a shaggy dough.
Place the dough onto a countertop and knead for 5 minutes, until dough is smooth. (Or do this in a stand mixer for 2-3 minutes.)
Set the dough in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a towel, let sit at room temperature, until doubled in size, about an hour or so.
When the dough has risen, punch it down, let it rest for 10 minutes on the counter and then roll it into a rectangle shape about 12 x 18 inches.
Brush with melted butter.
Sprinkle with cheese and jalapeño.
Starting with the long edge, roll the dough into a log, keeping it pretty tightly rolled, as you would with cinnamon buns. Pinch the seam closed and roll so the log is seam side down.
Using a sharp knife, slice the log down the center, lengthwise, leaving about an inch or so at the top unsliced.
Carefully turn each half of the dough so the filling is facing up. Twist the two lengths over each other, like a braid but with only two pieces. You will end up with one long twist of dough and should see the layers of cheese and dough from the top.
Carefully lay the loaf on a parchment or silicone mat lined baking sheet.
Curl each end of the bread in towards in opposite directions, toward the center of the loaf, to make an "S" shape. Cover with greased plastic wrap and a towel and let rise for 30 – 45 minutes or so.
Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes, or until done.
Notes
When measuring flour, I go by 120 grams per cup. If you’d like to use cup measurement for the flour, then I’d say start with about 3 - 3.5 cups (360 - 420 grams) of flour, measured lightly by scooping your flour into the measuring cup, and not digging your cup into the flour and add more from there. You’ll get the best results by using a scale though.