Asiago Cheese Bread

Asiago Cheese Bread
3 ¾ cups flour
1 envelope (2 ¼ tsp) dry yeast
1 ½ tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
¼ tsp black pepper
1 ¼ cups milk
2 tbsp butter, cut up
1 ¼ cups Asiago cheese, shredded
1 large egg

1.) In a large bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of the flour, yeast, salt, and pepper. Melt butter in milk until it reaches 120-130 degrees F. Stir milk into flour mixture until smooth. Stir in 1 cup cheese.
2.) Gradually stir in another 2 cups flour to make a soft dough. Knead until smooth and elastic adding flour if needed.
3.) Oil a large bowl. Add dough, turn to coat. Cover with a clean, damp towel and let rise until double. Check at 1 hour and every 30 minutes afterward. It may take 2 ½ hours to double, depending on the ambient temperature of the dough’s location.
4.) Punch down, form into two loaves. Spray baking sheet (or use parchment paper). Place loaves on pan, let rise, covered until doubled (should only take 45 minutes this time). Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
5.) Slash dough with serrated knife. Brush lightly with beaten egg and sprinkle top with remaining cheese. You may sprinkle with herbs to if desired. Bake 30-35 minutes until done. Cool before slicing (if you can wait that long).