This soft and delicious Pull Apart Bread is even better when it's filled with your favourite fillings. Make them different and every bite is a surprise.
In a large bowl or stand up mixer whisk together flour, salt and sugar, add the yeast and mix gently, make a well in the middle and add the egg, butter, vanilla and milk mix with a fork until it is almost combined.
If using a stand up mixer then attach the dough hook and knead on #2 for 7 minutes, if kneading by hand then knead for 15 minutes, the dough should become smooth and elastic, it may be slightly sticky but do not add more flour. Form the dough (on a lightly floured flat surface from the mixer) into a ball, wrap it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 40 minutes.
Remove the dough from the fridge and form into 12-13 small balls (approximately 45 grams each), flatten one ball at a time (keep the other balls covered with a tea towel) with the palm of your hand, pulling and stretching gently with your fingers until the desired circle size is reached, be sure not to stretch the dough too thin. Fill with desired filling (1 heaping teaspoon or more), seal the edges together and gently form into a ball again, making sure edges stay sealed, place seal side down in parchment paper lined 9 inch (24 cm) cake pan, leaving them slightly apart, cover well with a tea towel or plastic wrap and let rise 2 hours in a draft free warm area.
Pre-heat oven to 320F (160C).
Whisk together until well combined the egg and milk, brush the mixture gently on the risen dough, bake for approximately 30-40 minutes or until golden (inside of the dough should read 190F when cooked) If the dough is browning too much, cover with foil and continue baking. Let cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy!
BROWN SUGAR CINNAMON FILLING
In a small bowl, mix together the butter, cinnamon and brown sugar until well combined and a sort of paste is formed.
Notes
This is the perfect bread to make for Christmas, just form the dough balls into the shape as a Christmas Tree following the video as guidance.