Georgian (Russian) Cheese Bread

Dough

1 cup milk
8 tablespoons butter
3½ to 4 cups flour
2 tablespoons yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heat milk and butter in a pan until milk is lukewarm and butter is melted.

Put two cups of flour and other ingredients in a mixing bowl, and beat while slowly adding milk. Continue beating while adding flour.

Knead dough for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add more flour if dough sticks to the bowl or your hands.

Place dough in buttered bowl, turn to coat, cover with cloth and put in warm place to rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour).

Filling

1½ pounds Muenster cheese, grated (you can do this in a processor with the blade when you've brought the cheese to room temperature)
2 tablespoons softened butter
1 egg

Mix filling ingredients.

Punch down dough and roll it out on a floured table until it resembles a large pizza (16").

Line a 9-inch cake pan with foil and center the dough in the pan. Place the filling on the dough.

Bring dough into a turban shape by folding and pulling the edges of the dough into the center. Make a top knot by twisting the center of the dough to close tightly.

Bake for 50-60 minutes.