Since school started up again before I left town, I almost felt tempted to line up at the snack window to buy one, but it just seemed too pathetic. Besides, I worried that I might destroy the memory of this perfect snack food.
My tastes have, after-all, changed a bit since I graduated from high school.
After the holidays, I couldn’t stop thinking about the feel of oven-warm bread in my hands and the taste of those rich, cheesy mouthfuls that always comforted me to the core. I knew it was only a matter of time before I tried to make some Zombies of my own.
The Zombies of my youth measured about 4 or 5 inches long and packed a massive amount of cheese. As I considered baking them, I felt pretty sure that eating such a snack these days would make me feel like a zombie.
Not only that, I wouldn’t need another scrap of food until dinnertime. Rather than do myself an injury, I opted to make small cheese-stuffed dinner rolls.
When I served these rolls with spicy tomato soup and a green salad, I think my husband finally understood my obsession. It’s pretty hard to beat warm bread and melted cheese.
When he suggested adding salami to the next batch, I felt hesitant about messing with the perfect combination of bread and cheese, but his instincts proved that you can indeed make something perfect even better.
I haven’t eaten a cafeteria Zombie in nearly 25 years, so I can’t vouch for authenticity of this miniaturized version.
I can say, though, that it has more than satisfied my craving for warm, cheesy bread. And since they’re small, you can easily eat three or four. So much for not turning into a zombie.
Cheese-Stuffed Dinner Rolls
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, divided
- 1 cup lukewarm milk
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 4 to 5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 8 ounces cheddar, Colby-jack, or pepper jack cheese, cut into 24- cubes
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Combine water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar in the bowl of a standing electric mixer. Stir to dissolve and set aside until bubbly, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add milk, butter, salt, remaining sugar, egg, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix until well combined, and then add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough just starts to clear the sides of the bowl. Switch to the dough hook and knead until a soft, elastic dough forms. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 20 minutes.
- Parchment-line two baking sheets. Turn the dough out and divide into 24 equal pieces. Shape pieces into rounds. Tuck a cube of cheese into each round and pinch the dough tightly together at the bottom, working to shape each one into a tight ball. Place rolls, pinched-side down on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise again in a warm place for about 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375° F. Just before baking, brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, switching baking sheets halfway through baking time, until the rolls are golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool slightly before serving.
Pin Cheese-Stuffed Dinner Rolls for Later
Those looks great! And a nice variation on my favorite lunch: tomato soup and grilled cheese!
I am so making this ones tonight… Thanks.
Suzanne, just wanted to let you know what a huge hit these are in our household! I made another batch last night & wanted half of them to be vegetarian for Hilary’s sake: sundried tomato, artichoke heart, mozzarella & parmesan stuffed in the center turned out phenomenal! Thanks for the recipes 🙂
Okay, I can’t wait to make that awesome veggie combo, Kristy! Thanks for sharing it. I’m so happy to hear that Zombies are a hit in your house!
Suzanne,
I so loved these in High School! Curious if you went to Acalanes? Thanks for the recipe, I have got to try and make myself.
These Zombies are indeed inspired by the ones served at AHS, Jill! Go Dons! Wow, I haven’t said that in a long time. Let me know how they turn out for you!
Zombies!! Go Don’s thanks for the recipe
Hey, fellow Don! Hope you’re doing well! Zombies, right? The best!