Baking bread can be a cumbersome, time-intensive process. A lot of recipes require extensive kneading of the dough, waiting for the dough to be ready, careful monitoring of the baking process, and endless checking to make sure that the minutest detail is adhered to so that you don’t have a flop. After putting in all the time and effort, not to mention the ingredients, the last thing you want is a misshapen disaster of a loaf of bread that no one in your family wants to eat.
But don’t let this put you off trying to bake your own bread. There truly is no better aroma to fill the house than that of freshly baked bread. And once you’ve made your first successful loaf, your family will be clamoring for more because its taste is unrivaled and far better than store-bought bread.
So, if you’re new to bread-making, or you just want to try a different approach, consider using your dependable cast-iron skillet to bake bread with easy-to-follow recipes. If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, you really ought to consider buying one, as it is highly versatile and can be used for a variety of dishes other than baking bread.
Choose one of these simple skillet bread recipes to try. They are easy to follow, do not require too many ingredients, and their preparation and baking times are more suited to those who want to bake beautiful bread but don’t have a lot of time.
1. Grandma’s simple skillet bread
This simple recipe is a firm favorite with skillet bread bakers. You can bake it in a few small skillets and serve it warm to your guests. The skillets not only add a rustic feel to your table setting, but they keep the bread warm to. Have plenty of butter for your guests to spread on their bread and expect to be asked to keep the skillets coming!
Ingredients
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon dry yeast
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2½ cups flour
Method
- Mix the water, honey, and yeast in a bowl. Let it stand for about 5 minutes. You’ll see the yeast start working.
- Add the flour, salt, and oil to the mixture.
- Use a wooden spoon and then your hands to work the dough, kneading all the ingredients together.
- Cover the bowl with cling film and allow it to stand for an hour so that the dough can rise.
- Prepare your skillets by greasing them with some olive oil.
- Divide the dough (if you are using more than one skillet).
- Put the dough into the skillet and shape it to fit the skillet.
- Score the dough on the top. This means cutting two lines across the dough from side to side in an X shape or cutting several lines into the dough. It allows the dough to rise during baking.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°
- The baking time will depend on the size and number of skillets you are using. After about 15-20 minutes, put a knife or toothpick into the bread. If it comes out clean, your bread is baked. If not, it still needs more time.