Description

This Jalapeño-Cheddar Pull-Apart Bread is a savory treat perfect for any occasion. Soft bread dough is layered with sharp cheddar cheese, spicy jalapeños, and a flavorful mixture of melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then baked to golden perfection. The stacked layers create a fun pull-apart texture that’s great for sharing and bursting with bold flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread Dough

1 batch of pre-made or homemade soft bread dough (enough for one loaf)

Fillings and Topping

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2-3 fresh jalapeños, thinly sliced (seeds removed for milder heat)
4 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

Prepare the Dough: Roll out the bread dough into a rectangle on a floured surface to facilitate easy layering and ensure the signature pull-apart effect when baked.
Add Cheese and Jalapeños: Evenly sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the rolled-out dough. Spread thinly sliced fresh jalapeños on top. For less heat, remove the seeds; leave them in for a spicier kick.
Brush with Butter and Season: Lightly brush the melted butter over the cheese and jalapeños layers. Sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper evenly to infuse robust flavor and maintain moisture.
Cut and Stack: Cut the layered dough into squares or strips. Stack these pieces vertically in a greased loaf pan, creating the layered pull-apart bread structure.
Bake: Place the loaf pan in a preheated oven (ideal temperature: 350°F/175°C) and bake until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted, approximately 25-30 minutes. This process fills your kitchen with a delicious aroma and guarantees a perfect texture.

Notes

For milder heat, remove jalapeño seeds before layering.
Use sharp cheddar for a pronounced cheesy flavor, or try smoked cheddar for added depth.
You can prepare the bread dough from scratch or use a quality store-bought soft bread dough.
Serve warm for the best pull-apart experience.
Store leftovers wrapped in foil at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate and reheat before serving.