SOFT MOZZARELLA BREAD ROLLS
Soft mozzarella bread rolls are a delightful treat, perfect for any meal or snack. These fluffy, golden rolls are filled with gooey, melted mozzarella, creating a delicious mix of soft bread and savory cheese. Enjoy them fresh or reheated; their irresistible aroma and taste will keep you coming back for more.
THE DOUGH
The dough for soft mozzarella bread rolls is the secret to their deliciousness! It’s made with simple, everyday ingredients like flour, yeast, sugar, salt, milk, butter, and eggs. These combine to create a dough that’s easy to handle and super versatile.
As you knead the dough, you’ll feel it transform into a smooth, elastic ball—this part is fun and helps the rolls get that perfect chewy texture. Once it’s all kneaded, the dough takes a little nap to rise and double in size, making it even softer and fluffier.
After the first rise, you get to shape the dough into individual rolls and hide a little surprise of mozzarella cheese inside each one. Let them rise again for a bit, and then brush them with milk to give them a lovely golden-brown finish when they bake.
When they come out of the oven, you’ll have a batch of soft, warm, and gooey mozzarella-filled rolls that are sure to make everyone smile. They’re perfect for any meal or just as a tasty snack on their own.
THE TANGZHONG EFFECT
One of the secrets that makes these soft mozzarella bread rolls extra special is the use of tangzhong, a unique method that ensures the rolls stay incredibly soft and fresh. Tangzhong is a simple mixture of flour and water cooked together until it forms a thick paste. This magical technique helps lock in moisture, giving the bread a wonderfully tender and pillowy texture that lasts longer than usual.
To make tangzhong, you just combine a bit of flour and water in a saucepan and cook it over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens. This only takes a few minutes and adds an amazing softness to the dough. Once it’s ready, you let it cool before mixing it into your dough ingredients.
Incorporating tangzhong into the dough for mozzarella bread rolls is what sets them apart. The tangzhong not only makes the dough more manageable but also helps it rise beautifully, resulting in rolls that are fluffy, light, and moist. When you bite into one of these rolls, you’ll notice how tender and soft it is, with the added delight of melted mozzarella cheese inside.
Thanks to tangzhong, these mozzarella bread rolls are not just a treat straight out of the oven but stay soft and delicious even the next day, making them perfect for any occasion and sure to be a hit with everyone.
INGREDIENTS YOU NEED:
- Eggs
- Bread Flour
- Sugar
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Whole milk
- Yeast
- Water
- Mozzarella
STORAGE
Storing soft mozzarella bread rolls properly ensures they stay fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Here are some friendly tips on how to store them:
Room Temperature:
- Short-term storage (1-2 days): Once the rolls have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Keep them at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Refrigerator:
- Medium-term storage (up to a week): For longer storage, wrap the cooled rolls individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store them in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Freezer:
- Long-term storage (up to a month): To freeze the rolls, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped rolls in a resealable freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Label the bag with the date so you can keep track of how long they’ve been stored.
Reheating:
- Room Temperature Rolls: If stored at room temperature, you can enjoy the rolls as is or warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes until heated through.
- Refrigerated Rolls: For refrigerated rolls, reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave them for about 20-30 seconds, but be careful not to overheat, as this can make the bread tough.
- Frozen Rolls: When you’re ready to enjoy the frozen rolls, let them thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours. Then reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
By following these storage tips, you can keep your soft mozzarella bread rolls fresh and tasty, ready to enjoy whenever you like!
ALTERNATIVE FILLINGS
If you’re looking to switch up the fillings in your soft mozzarella bread rolls, there are plenty of delicious alternatives to try! Here are some tasty ideas:
Savory Fillings:
- Cheddar and Herbs: Mix shredded cheddar cheese with chopped fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or thyme for a flavorful twist.
- Garlic and Parmesan: Combine minced garlic with grated Parmesan cheese for a savory, aromatic filling.
- Spinach and Feta: Sauté fresh spinach, then mix it with crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired filling.
- Ham and Swiss: Add small pieces of ham and Swiss cheese for a classic deli-style roll.
- Pepperoni and Mozzarella: For a pizza-inspired roll, use slices of pepperoni and extra mozzarella cheese.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil: Mix chopped sun-dried tomatoes with fresh basil and a bit of mozzarella or goat cheese for an Italian touch.
- Jalapeño and Cheddar: For a spicy kick, use chopped jalapeños and shredded cheddar cheese.
Sweet Fillings:
- Cinnamon and Sugar: Mix cinnamon and sugar with a bit of softened butter for a sweet, dessert-like roll.
- Nutella: Spread a layer of Nutella for a chocolate-hazelnut treat.
- Cream Cheese and Jam: Combine softened cream cheese with your favorite jam or fruit preserve for a sweet and creamy filling.
- Apple and Cinnamon: Use finely chopped apples mixed with cinnamon and a touch of sugar for a cozy, autumn-inspired roll.
- Lemon Curd: Add a spoonful of tangy lemon curd for a bright, zesty flavor.
- Peanut Butter and Banana: Spread peanut butter and add thin slices of banana for a classic and delicious combination.
- Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle chocolate chips inside the rolls for a melty, chocolatey surprise.
These alternative fillings can add variety and excitement to your bread rolls, making them perfect for any occasion or personal taste preference. Enjoy experimenting with different combinations to find your favorites!
If you’ve given this recipe a try and it won you over, please share your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below! If you have any questions about this recipe, don’t hesitate to ask – I’m here to help and will respond promptly.
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SOFT MOZZARELLA BREAD ROLLS
Ingredients
THE DOUGH
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 40 g sugar
- 580 g bread flour
- 12 g salt
- 35 g unsalted butter room temperature
- 100 g whole milk room temperature
- 6 g instant yeast
TANGZHONG
- 120 g whole milk
- 120 g water
- 40 g bread flour
FILLING
- Mozzarella sticks cut into pieces
Instructions
- To make the tangzhong, in a pot over medium heat, whisk all the ingredients until the mixture is creamy. Remove from the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl of a stand mixer, add the tangzhong and all of the other ingredients except for the butter. Mix until the dough comes together. Add in the butter and mix for another 10 minutes.
- Shape the dough into a ball and let it rise in a well oiled bowl for 2 hours or until doubled in size.
- Punch the dough to deflate and divide it into 12 equal balls. Roll each ball into a long oval shape. Cut slits lengthwise like in the video. Make sure to stop at 3/4 of the way.
- Add in a mozzarella piece and roll into a log. Place in a well- greased pan. Repeat with the remaining balls.
- Cover and let it rise for another 30 minutes. Pre-heat oven to 180 Celsius degrees.
- Lightly brush with milk and bake at 30 minutes or until golden.
- Brush with melted butter for a shiny top!