Electric Skillet Bread #Recipe

 When I was a kid, my mother’s sister (Aunt Margie) made bread in her electric skillet. I asked everyone on my mother’s side of the family if anyone had the recipe, but I came up empty-handed. So, I worked on coming up with a recipe. It took some doing, several fails, but I think I finally have come up with a great recipe. The bread is crispy on the bottom and pillowy soft on top.

This bread is delicious plain, served with butter. Or you can read my Notes below and add flavorings of your choice. I’ve served this plain, or with Everything Bagel Seasonings sprinkled on top, and I’ve also added caramelized onions and roasted garlic. This is delicious, any way you decide to make it. 

Electric Skillet Bread

Ingredients: 

Batter in Cold Skillet

• 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• Baking spray (for skillet)
• Flavorings and/or toppings of your choice (*see notes) 

Directions:

1.    In a small bowl, add 1/2 cup warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir to dissolve and set aside to allow yeast to bloom (about 10-15 minutes).

2.    In a large bowl, add the baking soda, the warm milk, and the other 1/2 cup warm water to the bowl. Stir to dissolve the baking soda. Add the bloomed yeast mixture.

3.    In separate bowl, add the flour, salt, and ginger. Stir to combine.

4.    Using a wire whisk, add 1 cup of flour mixture to the milk mixture. Beat until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. Switch to a wooden spoon and beat in remaining flour mixture. Batter should be thick, sticky.

5.    Prepare electric skillet with non-stick spray. Place batter into cold skillet and spread into an even layer. Cover with the lid. Let rise for one and a half hours or until doubled in size.

6.    Turn on skillet setting to 325 degrees F (162 degrees C). Cook for 30 minutes with the lid on.

7.    Remove lid and allow to cool for an hour before slicing into squares. 

Cooked Skillet Bread - Crispy on the bottom, soft on top

*Notes:

1.    Flavorings: Feel free to dress up your bread with added flavorings. Wet flavorings such as roasted garlic or caramelized onions (or both) should be added during #2 in the directions. Dry flavorings such as garlic powder, onion powder, dried rosemary or another of your favorite herbs can be added during #3 in the directions.

2.    Topping suggestions: Everything Bagel Seasoning, large flake salt, fresh cracked pepper, grated Parmesan cheese. Let your imagination go wild.