Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread

I've been slightly thrown out of my groove for the past week and a half (I blame the oh so cute, mommy please cuddle me, sick kid) and I haven't been doing much creative cooking (besides the Meyer Lemon Meringue Pie the other night).  So, I've decided to share an oldie but goodie!  This Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread looks impressive and works excellent as a take along for any get together or potluck.  I've made this recipe several times and it doesn't usually hang around very long . The kids seem to enjoy it just as much as the adults. Although it does take some time to prepare, most of these ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen! I like to serve this bread with a batch of "Perfect Pizza Sauce". (I've posted a recipe for that as well.)

INGREDIENTS:

2tsp. active dry yeast
1 1/3C warm water (110 degrees)
2 TBSP olive oil
2 tsp. salt
3 1/2 C all purpose flour
1/ 4 C melted butter
1 TBSP dried parsley flakes
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 C freshly grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the yeast and the water.  Allow it to sit for 5 minutes until the yeast foamy.  Mix in the olive oil, salt, and flour.  On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until the dough is elastic, 7-10 minutes.  (If you don't want a great arm work out, a stand mixer with a dough hook can be used, knead for 5-6 minutes.)  Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel.  Allow the dough to rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Just before your dough is done with the rising process, prepare your butter sauce.  In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, parsley flakes, and minced garlic.  Set aside.

When the dough is finished rising, punch the dough down.  Tear dough off into small pieces (roughly the size of a medium spoon).  Coat each piece in the butter mixture and place in the bottom of a bundt pan.  Repeat this process until you have one layer of dough balls.  Sprinkle with 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese.  Continue layering the dough balls and cheese until you have three layers.

Cover the pan with a clean towel and allow to sit until the dough has doubled in size, 20-30 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown.  Serve hot with a side of marinara or pizza sauce.  ENJOY!