Soft Cheese-Stuffed Milk Bread Loaf (Bakery Style)

🕒 Prep Time

20 minutes

⏱ Rise Time

1½–2 hours

🔥 Bake Time

30–35 minutes

🍞 Yield

1 loaf (8–10 slices)

📝 Ingredients

Dough

• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 2¼ tsp (7 g) instant yeast
• ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• ¾ cup (180 ml) warm milk
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened

Cheese Filling

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup cream cheese (softened)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp flour
• ¼ cup milk
• Pinch of salt

Topping (Optional)

• 1 egg yolk + 1 tbsp milk (egg wash)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Make the Dough

1. In a bowl, mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. Add warm milk and egg. Mix until a rough dough forms.
3. Knead in softened butter until smooth and elastic (8–10 minutes).
4. Shape into a ball, cover, and let rise 1–1½ hours until doubled.

2️⃣ Prepare the Creamy Cheese Filling

1. In a saucepan, melt butter over low heat.
2. Stir in flour; cook 30 seconds.
3. Slowly whisk in milk until thick and smooth.
4. Remove from heat, add cream cheese, mozzarella, and salt.
5. Stir until creamy. Let cool slightly.

3️⃣ Shape the Bread

1. Punch down dough and roll into a rectangle.
2. Spread cheese filling evenly over the dough.
3. Roll tightly into a log.
4. Place seam-side down into a greased loaf pan.
5. Cover and let rise 30–40 minutes.

4️⃣ Bake

1. Brush with egg wash.
2. Bake at 180°C / 350°F for 30–35 minutes until golden.
3. Cool 10 minutes, then slice while warm for that gooey center 🤍

💡 Tips for Perfect Results

• Use whole milk for extra softness
• Don’t overfill or the cheese may leak
• Let it cool slightly before slicing for clean layers

🧈 Serving Ideas

• Warm with honey butter
• As a side for soups
• Toast slices for extra crisp edges