Pane Bianco

Recipe Information

- Prep Time: 2 Hrs
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Servings: Varies

Description

This Pane Bianco (Christmas Bread) bread is wonderfully soft and packed with flavor from the basil, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and a blend of Italian cheese. The smell of this bread while being baked will make your stomach growl!

Ingredients

**for the dough**
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup hot water
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2-3 cups unbleached bread flour

**for the filling**
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 cup Italian cheese blend, shredded
- 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped

**All Ingredients**
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup hot water
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2-3 cups unbleached bread flour
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 cup Italian cheese blend, shredded
- 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped

Instructions


**the dough**

Step 1: Your liquid needs to be lukewarm, so by adding hot water to the cold milk, you will not need to heat it up in a pan. Mix the milk and hot water in a medium-sized bowl or bucket. Stir in the olive oil, yeast, and salt. Add in the flour a cup at a time, mixing as you go until you have a smooth, soft dough. The dough should still be a little sticky.

Step 2: Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 40-60 minutes.

**the filling**

Step 1: Drain the sun-dried tomatoes, patting them dry. Cut them into smaller pieces. Mince the garlic cloves, chop the basil, measure out the cheese, and melt the butter.

Step 2: Gently scrape the dough out of the bowl or bucket onto a lightly floured surface. Flatten and stretch into a 22" x 8" rectangle. Spread with melted butter, then garlic, cheese, tomatoes, and basil.

Step 3: Start with one long edge and roll the dough into a log. Pinch the edges to seal and place it seam down on a cast-iron pizza pan; the ends will hang off the sides of the pan.

Step 4: Using kitchen shears, start 2 inches from the end and cut the log lengthwise down the center, going 1-inch deep, to within 2 inches of the other end.

Step 5: Now form an "S" shape by bringing in the ends, tuck both ends under the center, and pinch them together forming a figure 8.

Step 6: Cover with plastic wrap that has been sprayed with non-stick spray and let rise until doubled, 45-60 minutes.

Step 7: Preheat pellet grill to 375 °F.

Step 8: When the grill is heated to around 350 degrees °F, uncover the bread and place it on the top rack of the pellet grill, or if using a pellet grill without the top shelf, place the bread on the bottom of the jerky racks. Bake for 30-35 minutes, tenting it with foil after 15-20 minutes to prevent over-browning the toppings.

Step 9: Remove bread and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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