Asiago Cheese Swirl Loaf

 MAKE THIS BREAD. I do not care if you are on a diet. I do not care if you are scared of yeast (because I kind of am sometimes). I do no care. DO IT. (please).

Not to be a jerk. I just really believe that this bread will greatly enhance your quality of life.

:)   (it's because i love you).

AND IT'S EASY. It really is. You can make the dough in the bread machine. Or in your stand mixer. (Or by hand, but then the level of easiness goes from 'super easy' to just 'kind of easy').

(don't worry, i ate way more than that little half slice..)

Asiago Cheese Swirl Loaf
1 1/3 cups warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
4 cups bread flour (all purpose will work fine, just not as incredibly soft)
2 teaspoons salt
4 tablespoons melted butter (or veg/olive oil)
2/3 + 1/4 cup of grated asiago cheese
1 egg, well beaten.
1 tablespoon butter, melted

In your stand mixer: .
1) In a liquid measuring cup, stir together the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for about 5 minutes until it gets nice and foamy on top. If it doesn't foam you might need some new yeast.

2) While the yeast foams up (or to properly call it: proofs), stir together the flour and salt in the bowl of your stand mixer. Stir in the 4 tablespoons melted butter (it won't really combine, there will be little butter clumps, but that's fine). When your yeast is ready, pour it into the flour mixture. Using your dough hook, stir together on low (speed 2 ish) until everything comes together. Then turn the speed up to 4 (or medium) and let it knead in the machine for about 8 minutes (it will look wet- it's fine). Then cover it with greased plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour, until doubled in volume. See below for 'Forming the loaf'.

In your bread machine:
1) Place the water, yeast, sugar, flour, salt, and 4 tablespoons melted butter into your bread machine- start on the dough setting. See below for 'Forming the loaf'.

By hand:
1) In a liquid measuring cup, stir together the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for about 5 minutes until it gets nice and foamy on top. If it doesn't foam you might need some fresher yeast.

2) While the yeast foams up (or to properly call it: proofs), stir together the flour and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the 4 tablespoons melted butter (it won't really combine, there will be little butter clumps, but that's fine). When your yeast is ready, pour it into the flour mixture. Stir until it forms a ball, then knead on a floured surface for 10-12 minutes- until smooth and elastic. Then cover it with greased plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour, until doubled in volume. See below for 'Forming the loaf'.

Forming the loaf:
1) Pour out your dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a long rectangle- about 12 inches by 7 inches. Brush with beaten egg. Sprinkle evenly with 2/3 cup asiago cheese. Roll up starting at the shorter side. Place inside a greased loaf pan. Re-cover with the greased plastic wrap, let rise for another 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2) Brush loaf with the 1 tablespoon melted butter and sprinkle top with the 1/4 cup asiago cheese. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes, until top is golden. Let cool before slicing. Serve with delicious butter.