Description
Crazy Bread is a delicious, soft, and buttery pull-apart bread infused with garlic and Parmesan cheese. This recipe uses a yeast-leavened dough brushed generously with garlic butter and Parmesan, baked until golden brown, perfect for a savory snack or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 package (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (110°F/43°C)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Topping Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for brushing)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: Dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water and let sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating that the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt thoroughly to ensure even seasoning throughout the dough.
- Add Yeast Mixture: Pour the activated yeast mixture into the flour and salt blend, stirring until a dough begins to form.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 8 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky to the touch.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for approximately 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat Oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
- Shape the Dough: Once risen, punch down the dough to release air bubbles, then roll it out on a floured surface into a 12×8 inch rectangle.
- Add Toppings: Evenly brush the melted butter over the rolled dough, then sprinkle the minced garlic and grated Parmesan cheese. Optionally, add dried parsley flakes for a fresh herb flavor.
- Cut the Bread: Using a knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough into 1-2 inch squares or strips for easy pull-apart pieces.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the pieces in a greased baking dish, arranging them so they slightly overlap but remain easy to pull apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and fully cooked.
- Final Brush and Serve: Immediately after baking, brush the bread with additional melted butter to add extra richness and moisture. Serve the Crazy Bread warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Ensure the water temperature for activating yeast is between 105°F and 115°F for optimal yeast activity.
- For a stronger garlic flavor, increase minced garlic slightly or add garlic powder to the dough.
- Substitute Parmesan cheese with Asiago or Romano for a different cheese profile.
- Use fresh parsley instead of dried for a more intense herbal aroma.
- Store leftover Crazy Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; reheat before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
