pull apart cheesy bread

This week's recipe is proudly brought to you by one of the 3, 605 pins I have over on pinterest.  It's original source is from a gorgeous blog called Baked By Rachel.  I tweaked it a bit, mostly because I didn't have any garlic in the pantry and couldn't be bothered with the herbs, so mine version is quite plain in comparison, but still totally delicious. 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups (225g) plain flour*

1 tsp dried yeast

1 tsp salt

2/3 cup (160ml) lukewarm water

2 tsp olive oil

4 tbsp melted butter

6-8 tbsp parmesan cheese

Method:

Don't be scared with the high number of steps required to make this bread.  Baking your own bread is actually really easy and not as time consuming as everyone thinks it is.  I encourage you to try it just once.  You'll probably be really surprised and how easy (and tasty) it is!

1. Place sifted flour and salt into a mixing bowl or KitchenAid bowl.

2. Dissolve yeast in a little lukewarm water and then stir in remaining water.

3. Make a well in the centre of flour mixture, place the dissolved yeast mixture and oil into the well and gradually work in the flour from the sides.

4. If using a KichenAid, attach the dough hook and let the KitchenAid work it's magic until the dough is smooth and elastic.  If using your hands, remove dough from bowl and knead until smooth and elastic.  This may take a while by hand.  Sipping on vodka while kneading should speed up the process.

5. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover with a damp cloth and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in volume.

6. While you're waiting for the dough to rise, turn your oven into 180 deg C & line the bottom of a loaf pan with baking paper.

7. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangular shape.

8. Brush the melted butter over the top of the dough.

9. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top of the butter.

10. Cut the dough lengthways into 6 strips.

11. Layer those strips on top of each and then cut that layered log of dough into 5 equal squares.

12. Place these squares in your loaf pan (don't worry if the squares don't fill up the entire width of the loaf pan...they will spread out nicely when in the oven and fill the pan beautifully.

13. Cover loosely with a tea towel and let sit for 30 minutes.

14. Bake in your oven for about 35 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

15. Serve warm on a large plate for hungry guests to pull apart and enjoy.

*PS:  Below is a pic of the flour I use for all my loaves of bread, pizza bases etc.  It requires very little kneading and always turns out light and fluffy.  Australian readers can find it in the flour section of their local supermarket.  I'm not sure if it's available in any other countries.  Maybe our international readers could let us know what they use for their bread baking?

visit www.lighthousebaking.com.au for more info on their products, recipes etc

FYI:  This is not a sponsored post.  At all.  Just sharing the baking love.