Picnic Basket Bread 🍞
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 1 loaf
Description:
This delightful Picnic Basket Bread recipe has been a cherished family favorite for years, originating from my beloved aunt’s kitchen. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or any occasion, this bread can be prepared ahead of time and enjoyed either warm or cold. Packed with flavorful ingredients like Swiss cheese, spinach, and onions, it’s a satisfying treat that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients:
- 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
- 2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- 1 1/2 cups frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1 cup cooked chicken, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
- 1 egg white, lightly beaten
Instructions:
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Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Prepare filling: In a bowl, combine the shredded Swiss cheese, chopped spinach, cooked chicken, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped onion, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix well and set aside.
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Activate yeast: In a separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1 cup of warm water.
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Mix dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the dissolved yeast mixture, sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 cup of flour. Mix well to form a smooth batter.
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Add flour: Gradually add 1 1/2 cups of flour to the batter, kneading until a soft dough forms. If the dough is sticky, incorporate the remaining 1/2 cup of flour as needed.
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Knead dough: On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.
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Roll out dough: Roll the dough into a rectangle measuring approximately 16 x 10 inches.
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Fill dough: Spread the prepared filling evenly down the middle of the dough rectangle, leaving some space around the edges.
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Shape loaf: Carefully bring the edges of the dough together to enclose the filling, pinching the seams to seal the loaf.
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Place on baking sheet: Transfer the loaf onto a lightly greased baking sheet, seam-side down.
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Brush with egg white: Brush the surface of the bread with the beaten egg white, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
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Sprinkle sesame seeds: Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the top of the bread for added flavor and texture.
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Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
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Serve: Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm as a delightful appetizer, or let it cool completely and refrigerate for later enjoyment.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 2520.1
- Fat: 76.4g
- Saturated Fat: 39.6g
- Cholesterol: 381mg
- Sodium: 4086.1mg
- Carbohydrates: 280.1g
- Fiber: 19.3g
- Sugar: 20.2g
- Protein: 173.4g
Recipe Notes:
- This Picnic Basket Bread is incredibly versatile and can be customized with your favorite fillings such as diced ham, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
- To make ahead, prepare the dough and filling separately, then assemble and bake the bread just before serving for a fresh-from-the-oven taste.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage. Simply reheat slices in the oven or microwave before serving.
