Green Chile Cheese with Garlic Butter Pull Apart Loaves

🌶️ Green Chile Cheese with Garlic Butter Pull-Apart Loaves

🧈 Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)

• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 large egg

For the Filling:

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a cheddar blend)

• 1 cup chopped roasted green chiles (Hatch preferred, mild or medium heat)

• Optional: ½ cup cooked crumbled bacon (for extra flavor)

For the Garlic Butter:

• ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

• ¼ tsp salt

🧑‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the Dough

1. In a small bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

2. In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer), combine flour and salt.

3. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.

4. Knead for 8–10 minutes by hand or 5–6 minutes in a stand mixer until smooth and elastic.

5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled.

2. Prepare Garlic Butter

• While dough rises, melt butter in a small pan over low heat.

• Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

• Stir in parsley and salt. Remove from heat.

3. Assemble the Loaves

1. Punch down the risen dough. Divide in half (for 2 small loaves) or use a 9×5 loaf pan for one large one.

2. Roll each half into a large rectangle (about 10×14 inches).

3. Brush the entire surface generously with garlic butter.

4. Sprinkle evenly with shredded cheese and green chile (and bacon, if using).

5. Cut dough into squares or strips (3” squares or strips work well), then stack and arrange them vertically into a greased loaf pan like a deck of cards.

6. Brush the top with more garlic butter.

4. Second Rise

• Cover the loaf and let it rise for another 30–40 minutes until puffy.

5. Bake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling.

• If top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil halfway through.

• Let cool slightly before pulling apart and serving.

🧄 Serving Suggestions

• Great with sour cream or chipotle ranch dipping sauce.

• Add jalapeños for extra heat.

• Pairs beautifully with soups, chili, grilled meats, or beer.

Let me know if you’d like a shortcut version using store-bought biscuit dough!