pepperoni bread

When I worked in Boston, this new girl, Katie, was hired one day.  We had a work party.  Katie brought pepperoni bread. I decided I had to be her friend, if only to get this recipe.  It worked! And we're still friends, turns out not only is Katie a good cook, but she's pretty cool too.

This recipe is really delicious, a great crowd pleaser and really easy to make.  It's perfect for all of the upcoming football parties I'm sure you're all planning to attend.  My only piece of advice would be to make two, because it's going to go fast. Scratch that, you should probably make three, that way you could keep one at home all for yourself.

Actually, I have one other tip for you:  it's best to have the dough in the middle a bit thicker than the dough at the edges.  When you fold the dough to make the loaf, you'll fold the two edges over each other.  This forms quite a bit of bread on the bottom of the loaf.  So if you keep the edges thin, your dough will be more evenly distributed around the fillings.  

I made this as a surprise for Dan.  When he came home and saw it he exclaimed, "a homemade hot pocket!!!" Kind of true, but this is so much better.  

Pepperoni Bread

from Katie Ballard

1 loaf frozen bread dough (I use pizza dough...not sure if this makes a difference...Katie?)

1 egg

1 tsp parsley

1 tsp oregano

pepperoni slices

1 cup grated mozzerella cheese (I usually use more than this!)

sesame seeds

marinara sauce (optional), for serving

Thaw frozen bread dough.  Spread dough into large rectangle on greased cookie sheet (Pam works).

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Make an egg wash by mixing egg, oregano, and parsley.  Spread 1/2 the egg wash on dough almost to edges.

Layer pepperoni slices, 3 or 4 to a row, down center of the bread dough.

Sprinkle cheese over pepperoni.

Fold bread dough over filling, one third over then the last third over (you may have to stretch the dough). Close open ends the same way. Flip

dough over so seam is underneath.

Spread loaf with remaining egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 mins. until golden brown.