Garlic Stuffed Bread

Nothing compares to the scent of freshly-baked bread, and when it comes to creating the perfect loaf of garlic bread, there's nothing quite like homemade. Now imagine homemade bread stuffed with a mix of roasted garlic, herbs, and capers.

If you’re looking to impress your guests, stuffed garlic bread should be your new go-to. The combination of roasted garlic and herbs, extra virgin olive oil, and cheese rolled in a warm, fresh-baked loaf is a surefire way to tantalize the taste buds. While making the bread is a time-intensive process, that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. With the right ingredients and technique, you can create an amazing loaf of garlic bread that’s sure to be a hit.

Garlic Stuffed BreadPhoto byLiving the Gourmet

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 3 1/4 cups flour
• 2 1/4 tsp. yeast
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 2 tsp. salt
• About 2 1/4 cups water

For the Stuffing:

• 1 bulb of garlic, roasted
• 1 small sweet onion, grilled
• 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbs. capers
• 2 tsp. course black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. sugar, for dusting the onion
• 3 tbs. olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees F. When the oven temperature reaches 170 degrees F. turn the oven off. This is for the dough mixture to have a warm place to rise.
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients for the dough and mix until a sticky, wet dough forms.
3. Cover in clingfilm and then a thick dishtowel. Place in the pre-heated oven and let rise for about 1 hour.
4. After the first rise, add flour along the edges of the dough and incorporate into the dough gently with your hand.
5. Cover and place in the warm oven again for an hour, until it doubles in size.
6. For a third and final rise, add a bit of flour along the edges once more. Gently fold, then cover again and let double in size.

For the Stuffing:

1. Place the roasted garlic, capers, cheese, black pepper and olive oil in a food processor and give a few good chops.
2. Remove from the food processor and add with the chopped onion. Set aside.

Assembly & Baking:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. On a well floured surface, roll out your dough into a 12-14 inch circle. Be VERY gentle with the dough. The dough should be soft and filled with air bubbles, do not, pound the dough or knead the dough.
3. Spread garlic stuffing over the rolled out dough.
4. Gently, roll the dough, like a strudel, then into a crescent shape.
5. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and place in the oven.
6. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes or until the bread is a beautiful golden color.
7. Let it cool a bit before transferring from the baking sheet to cool enough before serving.

**If you enjoyed today's recipe, visit Living the Gourmet for more delicious recipes to make for the family!