Description
Parmesan skillet bread emerges as a rustic Italian-inspired delight, promising comfort in every golden, herb-laden slice. Crusty edges and melted cheese welcome guests to savor warm, aromatic moments straight from kitchen to table.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 4 ½ cups (574 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 package) instant yeast
- 1 ½ teaspoons fine salt
Wet and Fresh Ingredients:
- 2 cups lukewarm water
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, plus more for sprinkling
Cheese Topping:
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Activate the instant yeast by dissolving it in tepid water within a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring complete integration.
- Incrementally introduce half the flour, stirring methodically with a wooden utensil until achieving a silky consistency.
- Incorporate finely chopped rosemary and refined salt into the developing dough mixture, blending thoroughly.
- Gradually fold in the remaining flour, stirring consistently until the ingredients meld seamlessly.
- Shield the bowl with transparent film and position in a gentle, warm environment to encourage fermentation and volume expansion, approximately 60 minutes.
- Generously coat the cast iron skillet’s interior with olive oil, creating a smooth protective layer.
- Delicately flour hands and dough surface, then mold the risen mixture into an approximate circular shape.
- Gently transfer the dough into the prepared skillet, ensuring even distribution.
- Loosely drape a cloth over the dough and allow secondary proofing until the surface becomes light and puffy, roughly 30 minutes.
- Warm the oven to 400°F, preparing for baking.
- Drizzle remaining olive oil across the dough’s surface for enhanced flavor and crisp texture.
- Create an elegant diagonal cross-pattern using a razor-sharp knife, allowing aesthetic scoring.
- Scatter additional fresh rosemary leaves atop the dough for aromatic intensity.
- Slide the skillet into the preheated oven, baking for initial 20-minute segment.
- Carefully extract the partially baked bread and generously sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the surface.
- Return to oven, continuing baking until achieving a golden, crisp exterior, approximately 20 additional minutes.
Notes
- Make sure your water is lukewarm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
- Allow plenty of rising time in a warm spot to develop rich, complex bread flavors and soft texture.
- Use a cast iron skillet for even heat distribution and a crispy, golden-brown crust that adds fantastic texture.
- Fresh rosemary transforms this bread from ordinary to extraordinary, offering bright, aromatic notes throughout.
- Grated Parmesan cheese creates a deliciously crispy, savory topping that elevates the entire bread experience.
- Check bread doneness by tapping the bottom – a hollow sound indicates it’s perfectly baked and ready to enjoy.
- Prep Time: 90 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 3 mg