Valtrompia Style Pepperoni Cheese Bread
Posted by Mary Ellen

3 to 4 cups flour
1/3 c. very warm water (105-115 F.)
1 tsp. sugar
1 pkg. yeast
1 c. milk
1 tsp. salt
1 c. grated cheddar cheese
1/3 c. finely chopped pepperoni*

In the measuring cup, stir together the water and sugar and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture is foamy (if no foam, start again). Meanwhile in a large bowl, stir together milk and salt. Stir in yeast mixture, cheese and pepperoni. Stir in 2 1/2 cups of the flour. Stir in as much of the remaining flour as necessary to form a soft dough.

Turn onto a floured board, knead 7 minutes, using as much of the remaining flour as necessary until dough is no longer sticky. Place in a greased bowl, turning dough to completely coat with grease. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Set in a draft-free warm place to rise until double in bulk. Punch down, divide dough in half.

Roll each half into a log 2 inches shorter than mold. Place in greased mold and cap each end.

Bake in preheated 400� F. oven for one hour or until bread sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from mold to cool.