Cracked Pepper Bread Recipes

PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a tube pan.
• Stir together 3 cups of flour, the sugar, pepper, yeast, and salt together in a large bowl.
• Heat water and margarine to 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) in a saucepan over low heat. Pour the hot water-margarine mixture into the flour; quickly stir a few strokes to combine. Stir in 1 egg, beat the mixture to form a loose batter, and stir in 1 1/2 cups of flour. Knead the dough on a floured work surface until smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes.
• Divide the dough into 12 equal-sized pieces, form them into rolls, and place them into the bottom of the prepared pan. Set the pan into a sink of hot water (about 115 degrees F/46 degrees C) until the rolls have doubled in size, about 15 minutes. Beat egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of water until thoroughly combined; brush the dough with the beaten egg yolk mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

CRACKED PEPPER FOCACCIA WITH TRUFFLE OIL

Steps:

• Stir 2 cups lukewarm water and yeast in large bowl to blend. Mix in 3 tablespoons olive oil, truffle oil, cracked pepper, and 2 teaspoons salt. Add 1 cup flour. Using wood spoon, stir vigorously until well incorporated. Add enough of remaining 3 3/4 cups flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, to form dough that is soft, sticky and not completely smooth, stirring vigorously until well incorporated. Oil large bowl. Scrape dough into oiled bowl. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. For do-ahead version: Chill dough overnight. Allow dough to come to room temperature in warm draft-free area before proceeding. For same-day version: Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 45 minutes (do not punch down dough).
• Lightly oil 15x10x1-inch baking sheet. Slide out dough onto prepared baking sheet (dough will be soft and will easily slide out onto sheet; do not punch down dough or knead dough). Gently pull and stretch dough so that dough almost covers baking sheet. Press fingertips all over top of dough to form indentations. Brush top of focaccia with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle with thyme, rosemary and coarse salt. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm draft-free area until puffed, about 30 minutes for refrigerated dough and about 15 minutes for room-temperature dough.
• Meanwhile, position rack in center of oven and preheat to 450°F. Bake focaccia until deep golden brown, about 30 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool.
• *Available at Italian markets, specialty foods stores and some supermarkets.

CRACKED BLACK PEPPER BREAD (BREAD MACHINE)

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in bread machine pan in order suggested by manufacturer.
• Select basic bread setting.
• Do not use time delay feature of your bread machine for this recipe.

CRACKED BLACK PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the milk, butter, sugar, and pepper. Place over medium-high heat and bring to about 110 degrees F. Remove from the heat and sprinkle the yeast over the surface of the milk. Set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
• Pour the milk and yeast mixture into the bowl of flour and mix until a soft, ragged mixture is formed. Transfer the mixture to a well-floured work surface and knead until a soft elastic dough is formed, about 10 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and place in a warm spot, until puffed and doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Transfer the dough to the work surface and, using your hands, gently flatten it into a 10-inch-long oval shape. Fold the dough into thirds lengthwise, overlapping the sides in the center. Press down on the overlapping sides to seal and make a seam. Place it seam side-down in a buttered 9 by 5-inch loaf pan, cover with a kitchen towel, and return to the warmest part of the kitchen until the dough has risen about 1 1/2 inches over the top of the pan, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Brush the top of the dough lightly with warm water and, using a sharp knife, make 1/4-inch-deep slit down the center. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
• Remove the loaf from the pan and place in the center of the rack. Continue baking until the loaf sounds hollow when rapt lightly with your knuckles on the bottom and top, and a thermometer inserted in the center reads 200 degrees F., about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the bread loaf to a cooling rack and let cool for 2 hours before using.

CRACKED PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• In bread machine pan, place all ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select basic bread setting. Choose crust color and loaf size if available. Bake according to bread machine directions (check the dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed).

GARLIC AND CHEESE CRACK BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a small saucepan on low heat on the stove, melt butter, then add garlic, salt and pepper.
• Score top of the bread on a diagonal into small diamonds, being sure not to cut all the way through.
• Using your fingers, pry bread cracks open and stuff with brick cheese, being careful not to rip the bread. Using a basting brush, cover the loaf with the garlic butter.
• Top with Cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese and sprinkle Italian seasoning on top.
• Bake until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.

CHEDDAR & CRACKED PEPPER BREAD

Steps:

• Mix 1 cup flour, the yeast (dry) and salt.
• Heat margarine, water and milk until very warm (125 to 130ºF).
• Add to flour mixture; beat on low speed until moistened, scraping bowl constantly.
• Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Add eggs and 1/2 cup flour.
• Beat on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Stir in cheese, pepper and remaining flour until smooth.
• Scrape batter from side of bowl.
• Cover and let rest 10 minutes.
• Generously grease 2-quart casserole or loaf pan, 9 × 5 × 3 inches.
• Stir down batter by beating about 25 strokes.
• Spread evenly in casserole.
• Cover; let rise 30 to 45 minutes or until double.
• Heat oven to 375º.
• Place loaf on low rack so that top of casserole is in center of oven.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until loaf is brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
• Immediately remove from casserole to wire rack.
• Brush top of loaf with margarine.
• Serve warm or cool; cut into wedges with serrated knife.
• Variations.
• Garlic Casserole Bread: Omit Cheddar cheese and pepper.
• Stir in 1 clove garlic, crushed or finely chopped, with final addition of flour.
• Sprinkle top of loaf with grated Parmesan or Romano cheese before baking.
• Herbed Casserole Bread: Omit Cheddar cheese and pepper.
• Stir in 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/2 teaspoon dried basil with final addition of flour.
• Taco Casserole Bread: Omit Cheddar cheese and pepper.
• Substitute 1/2 cup cornmeal for 1/2 cup of final addition of flour.
• Stir in 1 cup shredded hot pepper cheese (4 ounces) and 2 to 4 tablespoons chopped green chilies, very well drained, with final addition of flour.
• Sprinkle top of loaf with cornmeal before baking.

CRACKED BLACK PEPPER & FIGGY BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, pepper, salt and yeast. Stir in the olive oil and enough warm water to form a soft dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 mins until smooth and elastic.
• Put the dough in a lightly oiled, large bowl. Cover with oiled cling film and leave in a warm place for about 1 hr or until doubled in size. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. When the dough has risen, knead it again to incorporate the figs, by pushing the dough and lightly kneading them in. Don't overwork the dough; it can look quite rough.
• Shape the dough into a rough oval and put on a lightly floured baking sheet. Using scissors, slash the top of the loaf and sprinkle over a little flour. Leave it to rise again, uncovered, until slightly swelled, about 10-15 mins (if the kitchen is warm). Bake for 40-45 mins until it sounds hollow when you tap it underneath, then cool on a wire rack.