Bread Bowl Recipe
The ultimate comfort food, this Bread Bowl Recipe creates a warm, crispy vessel for your favorite soups and stews. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, these bread bowls are easy to make and oh-so-delicious! Treat yourself tonight!
Equipment
- Wooden Spoon
- Baking Sheet
- Oven
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water Aim for 107-110° F.
- 4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast (two 1/4 oz packets)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 5-6 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 cup butter (melted)
- 1 egg (or milk, optional)
Instructions
- Begin by stirring yeast and granulated sugar into the warm water. Set aside to proof for about 5 to 10 minutes until bubbly.
- In a large bowl, measure out 4 1/2 cups of flour and add the salt. Mix them together.
- Next, add in the melted butter to the flour mixture. Stir to cool the butter if it’s still warm.
- Pour the yeast mixture into the flour bowl and stir with the dough hook until combined. You may need to scrape the sides to incorporate all the flour.
- As the dough comes together, sprinkle in more flour until it cleans the sides of the bowl and becomes sticky but won’t stick to your hands. I used a total of about 5 3/4 cups.
- Knead the dough for about 6 minutes. It should be smooth and elastic.
- Grease the dough ball and the bowl generously. Cover with plastic wrap and set it in a warm spot to rise for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down, divide it into eight equal portions, and shape each portion into a ball.
- Place the balls on a baking sheet and allow them to rise again for another 30 minutes to an hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350° F. Brush the tops of the bread bowls with a beaten egg (this step is optional) for a golden finish.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until they are golden brown. Once out of the oven, let them cool for about 20 minutes.
- Finally, cut a circle out of the top of each bread bowl to create a well. Scoop out the insides to make room for your favorite filling, like soup or stew. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
If you’re looking to experiment with this Bread Bowl Recipe, you’re in luck! Here are some fun ways to adapt it and make it your own:
- Storage: Store leftover bread bowls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Freezing: You can freeze baked bread bowls. Just let them cool completely, wrap them tightly, and store in the freezer.
- Pairing: These bread bowls are fantastic with creamy soups like broccoli cheddar or tomato basil.
- Herbs and Spices: Add herbs like rosemary or garlic powder to the dough for added flavor.
- Cheesy Delight: Mix in some shredded cheese to the dough for a cheesy bread bowl.