Parmesan Pepper Bread Recipe

This Parmesan Pepper Bread recipe is outstanding and everyone loves it!  Parmesan cheese and freshly-ground black pepper give this bread a delicious and distinguished flavor.  My family loves it!

Check out Linda’s Bread Making Hints: Secrets to using the bread machine, About yeast in bread making, Sourdough Starter, and Quick Breads.

More great Bread Recipes, Sourdough Bread Recipes, and Quick Bread Recipes for all your bread making.

 

Parmesan Pepper Bread

 

Parmesan Pepper Bread Recipe:
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Parmesan Pepper Bread Recipe
Servings: 1 large loaf
Ingredients
  • 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water (110 degrees F.)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, extra-virgin
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano), freshly grated (reserve 1 tablespoon for topping)
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground (I use mixed colors of peppercorns)
  • 4 cups bread flour or unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 3 teaspoons instant active dry yeast
  • 1 egg white, beaten until foamy
Instructions
Prepare the bread according to your choice of techniques below.
  1. Bread Machine Instructions:

  2. Place all ingredients (except 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese and egg white) in the pan of the bread machine. Process according to manufacturer's instructions for a dough setting.  Do not be afraid to open the lid and check the dough.  It should form a nice elastic ball.  If you think the dough is too moist, add additional flour (a tablespoon at a time).  The same is true if the dough is looking dry and gnarly.  Add warm water (a tablespoon at a time).

  3. If you can not judge your dough by looking, stick your finger in and feel the dough.  It should be slightly tacky to the touch.  When the bread machine has completed the dough cycle, remove the dough from the pan to a lightly floured surface.  Knead the dough several times and form the dough into an oval; cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes.

  4. Stand Up Mixer Instructions:

  5. In a large bowl or in the bowl of a 5-quart stand mixer, add all the ingredients (except 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese and egg white).  Using a dough hook, mix all the ingredients together into a uniform dough.  It should form a nice elastic ball.  If you think the dough is too moist, add additional flour (a tablespoon at a time).  The same is true if the dough is looking dry and gnarly.  Add warm water (a tablespoon at a time).

  6. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until elastic, about 15 minutes.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes.

  7. After resting, turn dough bottom side up and press to flatten.  Fold dough into an envelope by folding the top 1/3 of the way to the bottom.  Then fold the bottom a 1/3 of the way over the top.  Then press dough with the palm of your hand to make an indentation down the center of the dough and fold the top completely to the bottom, sealing the seam with the palm of your hand.

  8. Place on a baking sheet dusted with cornmeal or covered with a silpad; cover and place in a warm spot to rise for approximately 20 minutes.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

  9. Oven Rising:  Sometimes I use my oven for the rising.  Turn the oven on for a minute or so, then turn it off again.  This will warm the oven and make it a great environment for rising bread.  If you can nott comfortably press your hand against the inside of the oven door, the oven is too hot.  Let it stand open to cool a bit.

  10. Cool or Refrigerator Rise:  If I don't have the time to wait for the rise to finish or I know that I will be interrupted before the completed rise, I do a cool rise.  A cool rise is when the dough is place in the refrigerator and left to rise slowly over night approximately 8 to 12 hours.  I usually do this after the first rise and the dough has been shaped into a loaf.

  11. After dough has risen, slash the bread with a very sharp knife making three 1/2-inch deep diagonal slashes.   Brush the top of the bread with beaten egg white.  Gently press 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese onto the top of loaf. and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until nicely browned.  A good check is to use an instant digital thermometer to test your bread.  The internal temperature should be between 200 and 210 degrees F.

  12. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.

  13. Makes 1 1/2-pound loaf.

  14.  

 

Thermapen Internal Temperature Cooking ChartI get many readers asking what cooking/meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking and baking. I, personally, use the Thermapen Thermometer. Originally designed for professional use, the Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer is used by chefs all over the world.  I only endorse a few products, on my web site, that I like and use regularly.

You can learn more or buy yours at: Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer.

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Comments from readers:

Parmesan Pepper Bread

I am so excited that I found your web site.  I tried the Parmesan Pepper Bread yesterday.  I have never made bread by hand.  WOW it came out great.

My co-workers here at the Police Department agree.  I am looking forward to more of your recipes. – Daniel Little, Cornelius NC

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