Jalapeño Popper Swirl Bread

Game day just got a whole lot grander with this appetizer-inspired swirl bread. The ultimate homage to a spicy, cheesy favorite, our tender, enriched bread is swirled with a filling of crisp bacon, spicy jalapeño, savory green onion and garlic, rich cream cheese, and melty white Cheddar. This one will have everyone coming back for another slice.

Jalapeno Popper Swirl Bread
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Jalapeño Popper Swirl Bread

Makes 1 (10-inch) loaf

Ingredients

  • 6 slices (120 grams) center-cut bacon
  • 1 teaspoon (5 grams) olive oil
  • 1/4 cup (40 grams) finely diced seeded jalapeño (about 1 large jalapeño)
  • 1/4 cup (25 grams) sliced green onion (about 2 small green onions)
  • 2¼ to 2½ cups (286 to 318 grams) plus 3 tablespoons (24 grams) bread flour, divided
  • 2 tablespoons (24 grams) granulated sugar
  • teaspoons (5 grams) instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon (3 grams) kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup (60 grams) water
  • 1/4 cup (60 grams) whole milk
  • 2 large eggs (100 grams), room temperature and divided
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, cubed and room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon (6 grams) grated garlic (about 2 medium cloves)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • cups (141 grams) shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese, divided

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, arrange bacon in a single layer.
  • Bake until browned and crisp, about 20 minutes, turning halfway through baking. Remove from skillet, and let drain on a paper towel-lined plate, reserving 2 tablespoons (28 grams) drippings in a small bowl. Let cool enough to handle; finely chop. Wipe skillet clean.
  • In same skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add jalapeño and green onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and release their moisture, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl, and let cool completely.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 1 cup (127 grams) flour, sugar, yeast, and salt at low speed until combined.
  • In a medium saucepan, heat 1⁄4 cup (60 grams) water and milk over medium-low heat until an instant-read thermometer registers 120°F (49°C) to 130°F (54°C). Add warm milk mixture and reserved 2 tablespoons (28 grams) bacon drippings to flour mixture, and beat at low speed until combined, about 1 minute. Add 1 egg (50 grams), and beat for 1 minute. Add 1¼ cups (159 grams) flour, and beat until a shaggy dough forms.
  • Switch to the dough hook attachment. Beat at low speed until dough is soft, smooth, and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl and dough hook; add up to 1⁄4 cup flour (32 grams), 1 tablespoon (8 grams) at a time, if needed. (Dough may still stick slightly to bottom of bowl.) Check dough for proper gluten development using the windowpane test. (See Note.) Turn out dough onto a clean surface, and shape into a ball.
  • Spray a medium bowl with cooking spray. Place dough in bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
  • Spray a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with baking spray with flour.
  • In a medium bowl, fold together bacon, jalapeño mixture, cream cheese, garlic, black pepper, and remaining 3 tablespoons (24 grams) flour until well combined.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 15-inch square. Spread bacon mixture onto dough. Sprinkle with 1 cup (113 grams) Cheddar. Roll up dough, jelly roll style. Gently roll into a 22-inch log. Coil dough, seam side down, into a spiral, leaving a small amount of space inside coil, and place in prepared skillet. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F (180°C).
  • In a small bowl, lightly whisk remaining 1 egg (50 grams). Brush egg on top and sides of dough.
  • Bake until lightly golden, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1⁄4 cup (28 grams) Cheddar. Bake until cheese is melted, loaf is golden brown, and an instant- read thermometer inserted in center registers 200°F (93°C), about 20 minutes more. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes; remove from pan. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Notes

Note: To use the windowpane test to check dough for proper gluten development, lightly flour hands and pinch off (don’t tear) a small piece of dough. Slowly pull the dough out from the center. If the dough is ready, you will be able to stretch it until it’s thin and translucent like a windowpane. If the dough tears, it’s not quite ready. Beat for 1 minute, and test again.

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