Italian Herb and Cheese Bread (Dutch Oven)
This rustic Dutch oven Italian herb cheese bread is soft on the inside, filled with melted Italian cheese and spiced with Italian herbs. The crust gets golden and crispy, making this a delicious loaf for soup and sandwiches!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1½ teaspoons salt (use table salt or fine sea salt)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 Tablespoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1½ cups shredded Italian cheese
- 1½ cups warm water (between 105°F and 110°F)
Topping (Optional)
- 1 egg (for the egg wash)
- extra Italian cheese
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the flour, active dry yeast, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and Italian cheese.Add the warm water to the dough and mix until it forms a shaggy dough.
- On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for about 5 minutes by hand (or about 3 minutes in a stand mixer with a hook attachment), until the dough is smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a ball.
- Return the dough to the same mixing bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and set in a warm draft-free place to rise and double in size, after about 2 hours.
- On a clean surface, shape the dough into a round or oval shape. Use your hands to gently push the sides of the dough underneath itself, to create tension on the top.
- Place the dough seam-side-up either in a proofing basket or in a shallow bowl lined with a kitchen towel. Cover the dough again with a towel and allow it to proof for 30 minutes.While the dough is proofing, preheat your oven to 450°F. Place a Dutch oven with the lid in the oven to become hot as the oven preheats.
- Once the dough is proofed, sprinkle a little flour or cornmeal on a large piece of parchment paper and place the dough on top seam-side-down. Whisk the egg in a small bowl with one teaspoon of water, and brush over the top and sides of the loaf. Sprinkle a small handful of Italian cheese on top.
- Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from your oven and remove the lid. Pick up the bread by holding the corners of the parchment paper, and carefully place it in the hot Dutch oven.
- Cover with the lid on and place it in the oven. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then remove the lid, and bake for an additional 5 minutes uncovered, until the crust is golden brown and crispy. Allow the loaf to cool on a cooling rack for at least 1 hour before slicing. Enjoy!!
Nutrition
Serving: 1 slice (of 12)Calories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 8gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 320mgPotassium: 63mgFiber: 2gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg
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