Skip to main content

Pane Bianco

Pane Bianco
This recipe makes a tasty loaf filled with fresh basil, tomatoes, garlic, and shredded cheese; the bread has wonderful soft texture, and is packed with flavor. The unique shape is simple to achieve, and makes an impressive presentation.
Yield 1 loaf
7

Reviews

Ingredients

Dough

  • 3 cups King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour (See note)
  • 1 (0.25oz) package (7g) or 2 1/4 teaspoons Platinum Yeast
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons table salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup lukewarm milk (120-130°F)
  • 1/3 cup lukewarm water (120-130°F)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Filling

  • 3/4 cup shredded Italian-blend cheese or the cheese of your choice
  • 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes or your own oven-roasted tomatoes
  • 3 to 6 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil (green or purple)

Instructions

  • To make the dough: Combine all of the dough ingredients in a bowl (or the bucket of your bread machine), and mix and knead — by hand, using a mixer, or in your bread machine set on the dough cycle — to make a smooth, very soft dough. The dough should stick a bit to the bottom of the bowl if you’re using a stand mixer.
  • Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise until it’s doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, thoroughly drain the tomatoes, patting them dry. Use kitchen shears to cut them into smaller bits.
  • Gently deflate the dough. Flatten and pat it into a 22×8½-inch rectangle. Evenly spread the cheese, tomatoes, garlic, and basil over dough.
  • Starting with one long edge, roll the dough into a log the long way. Pinch the edges to seal.
  • Place the log seam-side down on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Using kitchen shears, start 1/2 inch from one end and cut the log lengthwise down the center about 1-inch deep, to within 1/2 inch of the other end.
  • Keeping the cut side up, form an “S” shape. Tuck both ends under the center of the “S” to form a “figure 8;” pinch the ends together to seal.
  • Cover and let rise in a warm place until double, 45 to 60 minutes.
  • While the loaf is rising, preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Uncover the bread, and bake it for 35 to 40 minutes, tenting it with foil after 20 to 25 minutes to prevent over-browning.
  • Remove the bread from the oven, and transfer it to a rack to cool. Enjoy warm or at room temperature. Store, well-wrapped, at room temperature for a couple of days; freeze for longer storage.

Notes

Substitute all-purpose flour 1:1 for the bread flour in the recipe, if desired. Reduce the water to 1/4 cup.
When making anything with yeast, including this bread, let the dough rise to the point the recipe says it should, e.g., “Let the dough rise until it’s doubled in bulk.” Rising times are only a guide; there are so many variables in yeast baking that it’s impossible to say that bread dough will ALWAYS double in bulk in a specific amount of time.
Chop your basil with kitchen shears, just as you do the sun-dried tomatoes.
Recipe in partnership with King Arthur Flour.

Did you make this recipe?

We want to see it! Tag @redstaryeast and use hashtag #redstaryeast

Pane Bianco

Review & Comments

Jacque Mey | Reply

Can this bread be made with King Arthur Gluten Free flour?

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Jacque – King Arthur would be able to help you with this question. You can reach out to them here.

Erin | Reply

Would the bread turn out as well with added sliced olives; either green, black or Kalamata- or combination? If so how much could I add? Thank you for your time.

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Erin – Yes, sliced olives would make a nice addition to the filling. Usage depends on your taste preference, so add as much or as little as you’d like. Pat them dry before adding.
Happy baking!

Janet | Reply

My sun-dried tomatoes are vacuum packed, no oil. Will these work for this bread recipe? I was thinking of adding a tsp of olive oil to the filling to make up for the lack of oil with the sun-dried tomatoes. Thank you!

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Janet,
Yes, that will work. I would mix the oil in with the sun-dried tomatoes before adding to filling mixture. Let us know how it turns out!
Happy baking!

Pizza Bread that is as delicious as it is beautiful | Marcellina in Cucina | Reply

[…] Yes, this cut and twisted Pizza Bread looks tricky. But it’s not. I got the idea for shaping this bread here […]

Meatless Lent: Week 2 | House Blend | Reply

[…] but was pretty easy to create. It’s basically a big, savory cinnamon roll, filled with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic, and cheese. I doubled the cheese. Okay, […]

Donna Forget | Reply

5 stars
So why is there 2 separate measurements for the water?

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Donna,
There is 1/2 cup MILK and 1/3 cup WATER listed in the ingredients. There is no other measurements for water.
I hope you will find this helpful.
Happy baking!
Carol

Sheila Porter | Reply

I’m not usually a bread maker but this was easy w impressive results! Thanks.

carmen | Reply

thanks for the website on how to shape, I don’t make bread, but my goodness, I’m sure inspired to do so now!

Thanks!
Carmen

Deanna Upcott | Reply

I am going to make this! It looks amazing. I don’t know where to find King Arthur flour in my area. I am in Canada, Hamilton/St. Catherine’s.

JoseeM | Reply

5 stars
I too am from Canada (Montreal!) and King Arthur Flour isn’t available here either. To reassure you, I’ve made this Pane Banco bread using Robin Hood Bread Flours (at times with white, with multi-grains and whole wheat as well) – keep in mind that “our cup of flour” weighs heavier than the American flour. Robin Hood Customer Service confirmed that one cup of RH weighs 150g whilst one cup of KAF weighs 120g according to their website. I suggest weighing your flour to get the best results possible. Happy baking and cheers!

Diane | Reply

I’ve made this bread 5 times now. Very easy. Always a hit with my guest.

Rosa | Reply

5 stars
Just starting to get into making breads. I made this today.. very happy with my end result. Soft, beautiful bread. Looks like the photo. Will be makeing again.

Alisa | Reply

4 stars
Pictures of cutting and shaping the dough into an S would be much appreciated!

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Alisa,
There are some processing step photos at King Arthur Flour’s website that you may find helpful. Here’s the link: https://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2016/08/08/pane-bianco-bakealong/.

Happy baking!
Carol

Kathleen | Reply

This was very helpful!

Taylor | Reply

So I wanna make sure I read this correctly, you mix all of the dough ingredients together, which means you don’t let the yeast proof separately first?
The bread looks delicious!

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Taylor,
Yes, that is correct! Let us know if you try the recipe.
Happy baking!
Carol

mae | Reply

5 stars
so good! my guests loved it. perfect to pair up with pasta

Alicia Bowman | Reply

5 stars
I’m not a baker but I just had to say this is too beautiful to eat! I may just try to make it.

babli | Reply

4 stars
Pls tell me any easily available veg substitute for egg

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hello Babli,

Combine 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed with 3 tablespoons of water to replace one large egg.

Happy baking!
Carol

Leave a Reply

Made the recipe? Rate it!