Italian Cheese Bread Ring - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 1/2 - 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
2 eggs
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
FILLING
4 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, of choice
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine, softened

Preparation

In a large bowl combine 2 1/2 cups of flour, sugar, salt and yeast, stir until blended.
In a small pan heat milk, water and butter until very warm, about 120\u00b0F.
Add warm liquid and eggs to flour mixture.
Stir until moistened and beat on medium speed for 3 minutes.
By hand stir in remaining flour (2 to 2 3/4 cups) to form a stiff batter.
Generously grease a 12 cup bunt pan (or 10 inch tube pan) and sprinkle evenly with sesame seeds.
In a bowl combine all filling ingredients and mix well.
Spoon half the batter evenly into greased pan, spoon filling mixture evenly over batter staying 1/2 inch away from sides of pan.
Spoon remaining batter evenly into pan over filling.
Cover loosely with plastic wrap and set in warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
Do not punch or stir down dough.
Remove plastic and bake in a 350\u00b0F oven for 30 or 40 minutes until golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
Remove from pan to cool on a wire rack.
Prep time does not include rising time.