Cheesy Soft-Centered Bread Boats – A Delightful Breakfast or Snack
This is a fun and easy improvisation using leftover French bread dough from a mushroom pizza batch. Since we are two and had three dough portions, we baked two pizzas on Saturday and refrigerated the third dough portion. On Sunday morning, I baked it in this shape—a charming bread with cheesy edges and a soft egg nestled in the center. Tear off a “boat,” break the egg yolk, and dip into the heavenly mix of melted cheese and creamy yolk.
🕒 Prep & Cook Time: approx. 1 hour (including rising)
🍽️ Yield: 3 bread boats
🥄 Ingredients
- 1 batch French bread dough (see instructions below for preparation)
- Grated cheese (your choice; mozzarella, cheddar, or a mix)
- 3 eggs
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare the dough:
- Follow steps 1-5 of your French bread dough recipe to prepare the dough. Divide it into 3 equal portions.
- Shape the bread boats:
- Roll each dough portion into a thin rectangular sheet, similar to pizza dough.
- Sprinkle grated cheese evenly over each rectangle.
- Roll both long edges inward toward the center, leaving about 3 cm gap between the two rolls.
- Twist the ends to seal the shape and form a “boat.”
- Let the dough rise:
- Cover the shaped breads with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let rise for 20-30 minutes until slightly puffed.
- First baking:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (392°F). Place a small oven-safe dish with water inside to create steam for a tender crust.
- Bake the breads for 20 minutes.
- Add eggs:
- Remove breads from oven and carefully crack one egg into the center of each bread boat.
- If space is limited, gently push the cheese aside and crack the egg into the freed spot.
- Final baking:
- Bake for an additional 5 minutes until egg whites are set but yolks remain soft and runny.
- Serve immediately:
- Enjoy by tearing off pieces, breaking the yolk, and dipping into the luscious cheese-egg mixture.
💡 Tips
- Adding steam during baking helps create a soft crust.
- Use your favorite cheese blend for richer flavor.
- Serve warm for best texture and taste.
🎉 Perfect For
- Weekend breakfast or brunch
- Casual snacks and appetizers
- Cozy meals with a fun twist
📝 Final Thoughts
This cheesy soft-centered bread boat is a delightful way to use leftover dough and create a playful, comforting meal. The combination of molten cheese and creamy egg yolk is irresistibly delicious and perfect for sharing.