Simple and delicious Italian rustic bread typical of Central Italy but also widely baked in other regions.
Very soft and spongy inside with a deep brown crust it’ll conquer you from the first bite.
Full Recipe
Pagnotta – Italian Round Bread
Pagnotta – simple and delicious Italian round country bread made at home.
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Ingredients
- 3½ cups white bread flour , approx 450 g
- 1 ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp malt or honey
- 1 tsp dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix flour, yeast and salt. Add malt or honey and start adding water ¼ cup at a time.
NOTE: You might not use all the water. - Once you see the dough starts to come together place it on a floured surface and knead using your hands for about 10 minutes, until it doesn’t stick to the hands anymore. It should be smooth and elastic and have a silky look.
NOTE: The whole process can be done using a standing mixer with a dough hook. - Rub a large bowl with extra virgin olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Let rise at room temperature for 50 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
- Turn the bowl upside down over a floured surface and let the dough slide out.
NOTE: At this point you can decide to make one large loaf or two smaller ones. In case of the latter divide the dough in two equal parts and proceed with the next steps. - Press it gently to a square shape. Fold the edges into the center. Then fold again sealing it well. Turn the dough smooth side up work in a circular motion to perfect the round shape of the bread.
- Place a kitchen towel in the bowl where the dough was rising, sprinkle it lightly with flour. Place pagnotta in the bowl sealed side up.
- Cover with kitchen towel and let rise for another 20 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Transfer pagnotta rough sealed side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in a preheated to 400F oven for 25-45 minutes (depending on the size of the loaves).
NOTE: Remember to place an oven-safe (usually metal) bowl with water in the lower part of the oven to create steam.
Notes
Sieve flour AFTER measuring.
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Pagnotta is a perfect fit for soups, bruschetta and of course for a quick bite with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or beautiful Mortadella sausage.
Yum!😋
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Friday 21st of January 2022
Whoever I make this recipe, the dough is never moist enough. It is always hard to fold into the shape, and never stays in that shape. Did you add extra flour or less water in the recipe?
Italian Recipe Book
Wednesday 9th of February 2022
Are you using bread flour or all purpose flour? Also when you say "it never stays in shape" - do you mean it turns flat in the oven? For perfectly round bread it's important to fold it as described in the recipe and also let rise for the second time in a round bowl lined with a kitchen towel. You can find all the steps in the recipe. Looking forward to help you troubleshoot to make a perfect pagnotta next time around.
Ericka
Sunday 16th of January 2022
Can this be done in a bread machine
Italian Recipe Book
Monday 7th of February 2022
Sure, you can either knead and proof the dough in the bread machine and cook in the oven or make it in the bread machine from start to finish.