Jalapeno Popper Pull Apart Bread Recipe

I just baked this super cheesy jalapeno and cream cheese bread and its kinda like the best snack ever, bringing back those chill afternoons where nothing else matters.

I love making this Jalapeno Popper Pull Apart Bread. I start with warm water and active dry yeast mixed with sugar, all-purpose flour and salt to make a dough.

I then add softened unsalted butter and cream cheese for richness, and mix in cheddar, fresh jalapenos, garlic and onion powder.

Ingredients

• Warm water activates yeast and helps blend all ingredients for a smooth dough.
• Active dry yeast fuels the rising process, making the bread airy and soft.
• All-purpose flour gives structure and keeps the bread chewy with a tender crumb.
• Fresh jalapenos bring heat and zest, adding a vibrant kick and flavor.
• Cream cheese adds rich creaminess while balancing the spicy, tangy notes perfectly.
• Shredded cheddar cheese gives a sharp, savory taste and melty texture to tie it all together.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup warm water (around 110°F)
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 to 3 fresh jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for drizzling)
• Optional: 1/3 cup cooked and crumbled bacon

How to Make this

1. In a bowl, mix 1 cup warm water with 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until its frothy.

2. In a bigger bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter. Then pour in the yeast mixture and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.

3. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest in a warm spot for about an hour or until its doubled in size.

4. While waiting, mix the filling by combining 6 ounces softened cream cheese, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 2 to 3 finely chopped fresh jalapenos, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and if using, ⅓ cup cooked and crumbled bacon.

5. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to form a large rectangle.

6. Evenly spread the cream cheese and jalapeno filling over the dough, making sure it gets all over.

7. Carefully roll up the dough starting from one of the long sides into a tight log.

8. Cut the rolled dough into slices about 1 inch thick and place them in a greased baking dish, arranging them so they are slightly touching each other.

9. Allow the slices to rest in the dish for another 20-30 minutes so they puff up a bit more.

10. Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the bread slices for 25-30 minutes until they turn golden. After baking, drizzle 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter evenly over the top before serving. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Small mixing bowl for the yeast mixture
2. Large mixing bowl to combine dry ingredients and knead the dough
3. Measuring cups and spoons for water, yeast, sugar, flour, salt, and butter
4. Clean mixing bowl for the cream cheese and jalapeno filling
5. A flat, lightly floured surface for kneading and rolling out the dough
6. Rolling pin to help form the dough into a rectangle
7. Damp cloth to cover the dough while it rises
8. Knife or pizza cutter for slicing the rolled dough into pieces
9. Greased baking dish to arrange the dough slices for baking
10. Oven to bake the bread slices
11. Pastry brush to drizzle the melted butter over the baked bread

FAQ

• Q: How do I activate the yeast?
  A: Simply mix 1 cup of warm water (around 110°F) with the sugar and yeast and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it gets frothy.
• Q: How long does the dough need to rise?
  A: The dough should rise for around one hour in a warm spot until it doubles in size.
• Q: Can I swap out the cheddar cheese for another type?
  A: Yeah, you can try pepper jack or mozzarella if you want a different taste but cheddar works great for that classic flavor.
• Q: Should I remove the seeds from the jalapenos?
  A: If you dont want your bread too spicy, its best to remove the seeds and membranes while keeping a little kick.
• Q: Is it ok to add bacon to this recipe?
  A: Totally, if you enjoy bacon its a delicious add-on that gives the bread a smoky, crunchy twist.

Jalapeno Popper Pull Apart Bread Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you can’t find active dry yeast, you can use instant yeast instead; just use about 25% less than the recipe calls for.
• If you only have salted butter on hand, you can use that in place of unsalted butter but you might wanna reduce the added salt a bit later on.
• Out of cream cheese? Try substituting it with soft ricotta or even a thick Greek yogurt, but note that the texture might change a little.
• If you’re not a big fan or can’t get cheddar cheese, pepper jack is a fun alternative since it adds a bit more spice, or you could use mozzarella for a milder flavor.
• Don’t have fresh jalapenos? You can use drained pickled jalapenos for an easier option, though the flavor might be a bit tangier.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your water is really about 110°F so the yeast wakes up properly. If the water is too hot or cold, the yeast might not work right so dont skip this step.
2. When kneading your dough, work it until its smooth and elastic. It takes some time so be patient and keep at it even if it gets a little sticky – using small bits of flour can help avoid a mess.
3. Let the dough rise well, both before and after you roll it out. Even if it seems like it got big, a little extra time in a warm spot will make your bread extra soft and yummy.
4. Mix up your filling ingredients nicely so they spread evenly. If you leave lumps of cream cheese it might not melt properly in the oven, so take a little extra time to stir it all together.