Braided Pizza Bread

 

 

I recently posted a recipe for Braided Ham & Swiss Bread. This is the pizza version. My three kids, four nephews and one niece devoured two of these today! They are a big hit with kids, but make great party fare, too! 

I start with frozen store-bought bread dough that I thaw overnight in the fridge. But, if you're a baker ... homemade bread is even better, I'm sure!

Ingredient List:

• Bread Dough
• Butter
• Pepperoni
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Flour
• Egg
• Garlic Powder/Salt
• Pizza sauce (for dipping)

Instructions:

Allow the store-bought, frozen dough to thaw in the fridge overnight. If you're using homemade, you don't need to do this step. Place dough on a floured countertop.

Then, roll out the dough to about 5 inches wide and as long as a baking sheet. If your dough is cold, you may want to let it rest for a bit on the counter to "loosen up."

Make three long cuts in the dough ... all the way to the end on one end, but do not cut all the way to the end of the other end.

Carefully transfer to a foil-lined baking sheet coated with non-stick spray.

Make a braid out of the dough ... starting with the end that is not cut all the way. Braid the dough strips just as you'd braid hair ... just a lot "looser." Then, in the little "pockets" of the braid, stuff the pepperoni and mozzarella in tightly. It probably won't all fit and some will remain on the top of the braid. That's fine. If some falls onto the foil, don't panic. That will just allow for those yummy, crusty bits of pepperoni and cheese in the finished product.

 

Allow to rise in a warm spot for about an hour. (I set my oven to 200º and sit the pan on the stove top.) Brush with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with a splash of water). Then, bake at 325º for 20 - 25 minutes. When out of oven, brush with garlic butter and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese. Slice and serve with warmed pizza sauce for dipping.