Cheese Bread Braid

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 (1 pound) loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• garlic salt to taste
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• coarse salt

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Rub bread dough with olive oil on all sides and place between 2 pieces of parchment paper. Roll dough into an 8×12-inch rectangle.
3. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, make 7 cuts on a slight angle down towards the middle of the dough. Repeat on the other side, leaving about 4 inches in the middle for the filling.
4. Mix together mozzarella cheese, butter, oregano, and garlic salt in a bowl for the filling. Spread filling down along the middle of the dough.
5. Starting at the bottom, take the right strip and gently pull up towards the middle; then take the left and pinch together with the folded right strip. Repeat with all the dough strips.
6. Brush braid with beaten egg and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and coarse salt. Transfer braid onto the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.