Crescia al Formaggio is a traditional Italian Easter bread that is savory and flavorful. This airy and light yeast bread is made with a combination of cheeses and eggs. Your whole kitchen will smell amazing as this Easter bread is baking in the oven.
24gramsyeast6¾ teaspoons (3 packages) traditional yeast
3teaspoonssugargranulated
600gramsflourall-purpose, sifted
150gramsParmigiano-Reggianograted
150gramsPecorino Romanograted
pinchessalt and pepper or to taste
6 eggsroom temperature
½cupbuttermelted and cooled to room temperaure
200gramsswiss cheesecut into 1-inch chunks; can also use Emmenthal or Gruyere
Instructions
Over low heat, combine the water and milk in a small saucepan and heat until lukewarm to the touch (approximately 110° F)
Transfer to a small bowl and stir in the yeast and the sugar.
Allow to proof for about 10 minutes or until frothy.
Whisk together the flour and both kinds of cheeses. Add salt and pepper taste. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl (of a stand mixer) whisk eggs at medium speed for 2-3 minutes.
Add the yeast mixture and the room temperature butter and whisk for a few minutes.
Switch to the dough hook and add the dry mixture (flour, cheeses, salt and pepper).
Knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and pulls away from the sides. Alternately, you can knead by hand.
With a wooden spoon, incorporate the chunks of swiss cheese.
Divide the dough in half and place it into your greased loaf pans.
Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow time to double in size. This can take up to 2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and set the oven grate at the bottom.
Bake for about 45-60 minutes or until a hollow sound is heard when the top is tapped.
Remove from oven when done and allow to cool before slicing.
Notes
Prep time includes a 2 hour period for the bread to double in size.I used about ¾ teaspoon of white pepper.Bread is best consumed the day it is made. Can also be frozen for up to 3 months.One serving is the equivalent of a ½ inch slice.Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used.