Khachapuri

Directions

Ingredients :

4 cups all-purpose flour

divided

4 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast

3 ½ teaspoons white sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1 cup milk

½ cup margarine

1 pound shredded Muenster cheese

or more to taste

1 egg

separated

Methods :

Combine 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.

Combine milk and margarine in a 1-quart saucepan; heat over low heat until milk is very warm and margarine is mostly melted, about 5 minutes.

Beat milk mixture into the flour mixture on low speed until just combined. Increase speed to medium and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add remaining 2 cups flour; beat until a soft dough forms. Switch to the dough hook and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.

Transfer dough to a greased bowl. Turn over to coat. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

Gently punch down dough to deflate. Let rise until doubled again, about 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch round baking pan.

Gently punch down dough and roll into a circular shape. Transfer to the baking pan.

Mix Muenster cheese, egg, and egg yolk together in a bowl. Spread over dough in the baking pan. Gather up dough in 1 1/2-inch pleats. Squeeze pleats together gently and twist to make a topknot.

Let dough rest, 10 to 15 minutes. Brush with egg white.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 1 hour.