Description
This classic Crazy Bread recipe features soft, buttery pull-apart bread squares infused with garlic and Parmesan cheese. Perfect as a savory snack or side, the dough is enriched with melted butter and baked to a golden perfection, then brushed with extra buttery garlic flavor for a deliciously indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 package (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (110°F/43°C)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for brushing)
Topping
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Dissolve the active dry yeast and sugar in warm water (110°F/43°C) and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt thoroughly.
- Form Dough: Add the foamy yeast mixture to the flour and salt, stirring until the dough starts to form a loose ball.
- Knead Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it for about 8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which develops the gluten structure.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven: While the dough rises, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
- Shape Dough: Once risen, punch down the dough gently to release air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a 12 by 8 inch rectangle.
- Add Toppings: Brush the melted butter evenly over the dough’s surface. Sprinkle the minced garlic and grated Parmesan cheese uniformly on top. If desired, sprinkle dried parsley flakes for added color and flavor.
- Cut Dough: Using a knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough into 1-2 inch squares or strips depending on your preference for pull-apart pieces.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the cut dough pieces tightly but loosely overlapping in a greased baking dish, allowing them to stay connected for easy pull-apart serving.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the bread pieces turn golden brown and are cooked through.
- Final Butter Brush & Serve: Immediately after removing from the oven, brush the bread with extra melted butter to enhance moistness and flavor. Serve warm for the best taste experience.
Notes
- Ensure water temperature is around 110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Kneading time is crucial for a good texture; over-kneading can make bread tough, while under-kneading results in dense bread.
- You can substitute Parmesan cheese with Romano or Pecorino for a different cheese flavor.
- For a stronger garlic flavor, you can add garlic powder in addition to fresh minced garlic.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; reheat in the oven for best results.
