Holiday Hours For Panera Bread Recipes

HOLIDAY BREAD WREATH

Steps:

• Mix 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, the bread flour, salt, yeast and 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water (105 degrees F to 110 degrees F) in a large bowl with a wooden spoon to make a wet and sticky dough. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place until almost tripled in size, 2 to 3 hours (the top will flatten and begin to sink in the center). Divide the dough in half and transfer one piece to another bowl. Cover both bowls with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours.
• Put a pizza stone or inverted rimmed baking sheet on the highest oven rack and put a broiler pan on the lowest rack; preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Remove the dough from the refrigerator, sprinkle each piece with 1/4 cup flour, then shape each into a smooth, taut ball. Cover the bowls loosely with plastic wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Put a large piece of parchment paper on a pizza peel or another inverted baking sheet and dust with flour. Using floured hands, pick up a ball of dough and poke your thumbs through the center to make a hole. Place on the parchment, then gently stretch the dough from the center to make a 9-inch-diameter ring with a 5-inch hole in the center. Sprinkle generously with flour. Lay out another sheet of parchment, dust with flour and repeat to shape the other ball of dough into a ring. Let rest, uncovered, 15 minutes.
• Holding kitchen shears at a 45 degrees F angle, make deep cuts at 1-to-1 1/2-inch intervals all the way around both dough rings, pulling the cut sections away from the center as you go to make "leaves." Let rest, uncovered, until plump, about 15 more minutes.
• Slide one dough wreath (on the parchment) directly onto the hot stone. Carefully pour 1 cup water into the broiler pan underneath to create steam; quickly shut the oven door. Bake until the bread is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool. Repeat with the second dough wreath, adding another cup of water to the broiler pan.

PANERA BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. and butter a 2 quart baking dish.
• Place the bread pieces in a large, shallow bowl and pour the milk over them, making sure that all the bread is moistened.
• Allow this to sit for up to 1 hour (the longer you soak the bread, the more tender the pudding will be.)
• Meanwhile, in another bowl, beat the eggs well, then add the sugar and beat again until well mixed.
• Add nutmeg (and/or cinnamon) and vanilla and mix again.
• Pour this mixture over the bread and milk mixture, then add the chopped dried fruit like raisins or craisins and toss well.
• Pour the pudding into the baking dish, dot with butter and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until it is set in the middle and browned on top.
• Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or pour half and half over each portion.