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Bakery-Style Homemade Bread Bowls for Soup

Close-up of a rustic loaf of bread cut in half showing the open, airy crumb structure perfect for bread bowls.
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Make crusty, soft-centered bread bowls from scratch perfect for holding your favorite soups or stews.

Ingredients

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  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (105-115°F)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: Mix the yeast, sugar, and warm water in a large bowl. Let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 1/2 cups of flour and the salt.
  3. Combine: Add the olive oil and half of the flour mixture to the yeast mixture. Mix until just combined. Gradually add the remaining flour mixture until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Knead: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  5. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  6. Shape: Punch the dough down gently. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a tight, round ball.
  7. Second rise: Place the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them. Cover loosely and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes.
  8. Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a shallow pan on the bottom rack to create steam.
  9. Bake: Brush the tops of the dough balls lightly with water. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until deep golden brown.
  10. Cool: Transfer the baked bread bowls to a wire rack to cool completely before hollowing them out.

Notes

  • For a crispier crust, spray the inside of the oven with water during the first 10 minutes of baking.
  • To hollow the bowl, use a serrated knife to cut a circle around the top, then gently pull out the soft interior bread, leaving a sturdy wall about 1 inch thick.
  • Save the removed bread centers to dip into your soup or to make croutons.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hungryhearld.com/bread-bowls-recipe-from-scratch/