Easy Skillet Bread

This bread is very very easy to make (and it's incredibly delicious!)! It's a great first bread for anyone who is concerned about making a yeasted bread that requires a rise.  In addition to the list of ingredients (which are minimal), all you need is an over-safe skillet (I love my Le Creuset 12" cast iron skillet) and a standing mixer with a dough hook (although, you can certainly put some elbow grease into it and knead the dough by hand if you don't have a mixer). 

I used Italian herbs in this bread to give it a savory flavor....but you can experiment with the herbs and spices and add whatever you like! Cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg would make a delicious sweet bread, for example! 

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 packet of yeast ( 2 1/4 tsp)
1 cup of warm water (about 110F)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
3 cups of all purpose flour
oil to coat the bowl
melted butter
coarse grain salt for sprinkling

Directions:

• Add warm water to the standing mixer's bowl (do not use hot water- test with your finger to make sure the water is just warm). Sprinkle the yeast on top. Leave it undisturbed for 10 minutes to let the yeast activate. Do not stir.

• Using your paddle attachment on the standing mixer, add the sugar, salt, spices, and flour to the yeast mixture and mix to form a dough, about three minutes.

• Switch to the dough hook and knead for about 5 minutes to form a soft and smooth dough ball.

• Remove the dough and coat the bowl with oil. Place the dough back inside. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and keep it in warm place for about an hour and a half or until the dough ball has doubled in size.

• Place the dough ball into a well greased, oven safe, large skillet pan and use your hand to press the dough out to the edges. Using a knife score 3 to 4 cuts across the flattened dough intersecting through the center. I made a little circular pattern over the scores just to look pretty. Do whatever you like.

• Brush the top of the with generous amount of butter. Sprinkle coarse salt on the top of the butter.

• Bake at 350F for about 20 to 25 minutes or until it is golden in color.

• Brush the top with additional butter if you like. 
• ENJOY!