Best 5 Easy Italian Bread Recipes

EASY ITALIAN EASTER BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a large saucepan, heat milk and 2 tablespoons butter to 120°-130°. Add dry ingredients; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs; mix well. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down; turn onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in fruit, almonds and aniseed until blended. Let rest for 10 minutes. Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into a 24-in. rope. Loosely twist ropes together; place on a greased baking sheet and form into a ring. Pinch ends together. Melt remaining butter; brush over dough. Gently separate ropes and tuck dyed eggs into openings. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 40 minutes., Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. For glaze, in a bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over bread. Sprinkle with candies if desired.

EASY ITALIAN BREAD SALAD

Steps:

• Brush both sides of bread with 1 tablespoon oil. Place on a baking sheet. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 1-2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Cut into 1-in. cubes. , In a large bowl, toss the bread cubes, tomatoes, cucumber, onions and cheese. Divide among four lettuce-lined salad plates. In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, garlic, basil and remaining oil. Drizzle over salads. Serve immediately.

EASY ITALIAN CHEESE BREAD

Steps:

• Spread butter over cut sides of bread. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Combine the cheese, oregano and garlic salt; sprinkle over bread. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Slice and serve warm.

EASY ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients in bread machine pan. Process on dough setting.
• At the end of the cycle, remove dough from machine; place it on parchment paper. Punch down dough. Shape dough into baguete-shaped loaf about 12 inches long.
• Place loaf on cornmeal-coated cookie sheet and with sharp knife, make 1 deep lenghtwise slash in top of loaf. Cover; let rise in warm place for about 1 hour.
• Brush loaf with egg white, if desired. Heat oven to 375º F. Bake loaf for 25 to 35 minutes.
• Variation: You can add 1 tsp dark sesame oil to the recipe if you desire. Sprinkle the loaf with same sesame seeds before putting it in the oven.

EASY ITALIAN FOCACCIA BREAD FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• 1. DO NOT PREHEAT OVEN. In a large stoneware bowl, stir flours and salt. Make a well in the center, sprinkle sugar and yeast into well. Carefully pour water into well & let stand till yeast begins to act, about 5 minutes.
• 2. Pour 2 tablespoons oil into the well. With a wooden spoon stir the mixture in center of bowl, gradually widening the circle of stirring to take in all of the flour on the sides. Turn out on floured surface and knead just till smooth. Divide in half. Pour 1/2 teaspoon of oil into two clean bowls, place dough in bowls, turning once to coat. Cover and let rise until doubled.
• 3. Punch dough down. Use 1 teaspoon oil to coat a baking sheet and place dough on the center. Gently press the dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness. Pour 1 1/2 teaspoons oil over the top of the dough. Use the handle end of a wooden spoon or your fingers to "dimple" the dough at 1 1/2 inch intervals. Sprinkle with rosemary or basil and then cheese. Place in a COLD oven on center shelf. Place a flat pan of very hot water on the shelf below the bread. Let rise until doubled.
• 4. Turn on oven to 375° and bake 20-25 minutes or until browned on top. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack. Makes 2 very large loaves