For some reason this pandemic spurred a worldwide wave of breadmaking. A lot of novices weren't thrilled with the results, I'm told, and the run on flour and yeast is dying down. If you're disenchanted with your efforts at traditional yeast bread, this is for you. All the flavor, none of the work.
Pan bread is the name I gave years ago to a yeast bread that anyone can make. Even if you've never made yeast bread before, if you have a bowl and a 13x9x2-inch pan, you can make this bread. In fact, if you're planning to dine in 3 hours, stir up a batch right now!
If you like, you can turn it into focaccia by giving it a sprinkling of herbs before baking. You can even turn it into a coffee cake by using melted butter instead of olive oil and giving it a swirl of cinnamon sugar and a streusel topping. But if you're a fan of the flavor of yeast bread, you'll even like it perfectly plain.
Mr Delightful likes it with butter. Always good, yes, but sometimes I like to dip it in a little dish of extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and herbs. Makes me feel like I'm in a nice restaurant. Remember restaurants? And, yes, I do consider "the bread basket" a legitimate appetizer!
This bread is so versatile, you can even make 12 slices of sandwich bread or toast by cutting it into 6 squares and splitting each square, as I did for the plain and perfect tomato sandwich above.
This bread is so versatile, you can even make 12 slices of sandwich bread or toast by cutting it into 6 squares and splitting each square, as I did for the plain and perfect tomato sandwich above.
Check the Bread category of my Recipes page for all kinds of breads, including Classic White Sandwich Bread and Wild Yeast True Sourdough Bread.
If you like it, please Pin it and share it!
Pan Bread
(Makes one 13x9 "loaf")
3 1/4 cups (16.25 ounces/461 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar2 1/4 teaspoons (1 package/0.25 ounce/7 grams) instant yeast
1 1/4 teaspoons (0.25 ounce/7 grams) salt
1 3/4 cups (14 fluid ounces/414 ml) very warm (120 to 130F/49 to 54C) water
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or melted butter, divided
Options: caramelized onions, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, herbs
1 Start dough 3 hours before you plan to serve the bread. In large bowl, whisk together flour, yeast and salt. Add water and 1 tablespoon of the oil or melted butter and stir vigorously with dough whisk or large spoon for one minute.
2 Spray sides and bottom of a 13x9x2-inch baking dish or pan with cooking spray. Line bottom with a sheet of parchment paper long enough to go up the short sides of the pan. Spread 1 tablespoon of the oil or melted butter over the parchment. Scrape the sticky dough into prepared pan and press it into pan with oiled fingers. Cover loosely and let rest for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
This is the Nordic Ware Half Sheet Cover. I use it over buns proofing in the half sheet pan, over bread pans and over this 13x9x2-inch baking dish. It has saved yards and yards of plastic wrap over the years! |
3 During last 15 minutes, preheat oven to 375F/190C/Gas5. Just before baking, dimple (gently poke) the dough with oiled fingers and drizzle lightly with 1 tablespoon of the oil or melted butter. Sometimes I skip the dimpling and just rub on the oil or melted butter; it's fine either way. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown.
4 Let stand 5 minutes before turning out onto wire rack. (This is when you'll be so happy that you used the parchment paper!) Let cool for 10 minutes. Cut into 16 or 24 squares and serve warm.
4 Let stand 5 minutes before turning out onto wire rack. (This is when you'll be so happy that you used the parchment paper!) Let cool for 10 minutes. Cut into 16 or 24 squares and serve warm.
Or cut it into six squares and split them horizontally to make 12 slices of sandwich bread or toast.
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Jean
76 comments:
This is a fuss free and fun bread recipe, Jean. We love our bread with butter too :-))
Thanks, Angie. I'm going to make it again today!
Ooh, perfect, Jean! I'm not a fan of kneading and I love, love focaccia.
My dad (in England) has made bread for several years now and was perplexed as to why COVID-19 caused such a surge in demand for yeast. I know he'll be happy when he can get back to kneading!
Pauline, thank you. Fortunately, I have about a half a jar of yeast to tide me over till it's back in the grocery store. If the shortage goes on much longer, though, I'll have to hit up my friend who has plenty. She could find only an industrial quantity package of yeast on her hunt last week.
Your bread looks so delicious. I like to have bread with olive oil, too. I've had with olive oil and peppers in a restaurant long time ago. Another time bacon bits were added. Those were both very yummy :-)
Thanks, Tamago. Mmmm ... bacon bits! (I've been trying to reach you. Need your email address.)
Your bread looks delicious and so easy to make. I rarely bake bread but I am tempted to try this recipe.
Though not a bread eater generally, this one has the look of a superb delicacy I had in Clara’s-on-the-River in Michigan a couple years back. Butter friendly, for sure. Love the add-ons – cinnamon, streusel – but butter alone would do!
Thanks, Gerlinde. I have one in the oven right now, should be ready in about 15 minutes. Smells wonderful, and it is effortless!
That looks super good. I might have to pass that one on to Rick. (Though I think he likes kneading -- it's a good way to get out your frustrations!)
Jeanie, thank you. I love kneading, too. It is sooooo therapeutic. But this bread just doesn't need kneading!
Sully, thank you. Yes, it is a bread *you* could enjoy AND even make it yourself!
Sounds good. If only I could find some yeast.. I wanted to make Cinnamon Buns this morning.. there is no yeast to be had! :( Can you make your own yeast?
Anne, I do wild yeast true sourdough, but that is not good for cinnamon buns! I still have a bit of yeast left, but my friend went shopping recently and couldn't find yeast anywhere. She found a huge commercial-size container of it somewhere, more than she'll need before it goes bad; so if I run out, I can hit her up for some! But the stores should be getting in more yeast and flour soon when all the hubbub dies down.
I will see what I can do to get in touch with Tamago ~ will definitely leave your comment up and hope she sees it ~ You have a very lovely blog and that no knead bread seems very popular now ~ thanks ~
Be Well,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
I'm definitely in favour of a quick and easy bread like that, especially one that seems so adaptable. Sounds ideal for these times, although the run on flour and yeast hasn't eased around here just yet. I live in hope.
I did score some yeast online. I was determined to find was determined to find it!!
I've got yeast and I've got flour. I'm one of those people who has not baked bread during the pandemic. This looks real good.
I was thinking today that I might make soda bread or roti, since I've now gone through all the rolls that were in the freezer and there is no yeast in the house. I'm trying to avoid a trip to the store until it is absolutely necessary - and getting the fruit and veg delivery set up has been a huge help. But I'm keeping a list, and I'll add yeast to it! At some point there will be something I must have, and when that happens, I'll try to get everything at once.
I’m a dedicated yeast dough baker. Bread, dinner rolls, buns, cinnamon rolls at least every week. I always buy yeast by the pound. Tell your friend to store it in a canister in the freezer. I store excess flour in the freezer too. It keeps very well. Imagine my shock a couple of weeks ago when there wasn’t any flour/yeast to be found. I’m in withdrawal...I’m ok if folks are actually going to use the stuff but please don’t let it go to waste. I heard bread machine sales were up 600% over last year. Enjoying your blog as usual. Stay safe and well. Good advice for whenever.
Carol, thank you so much. You're very kind. I so appreciate it; hope we can get the word to Tamago!
Phil, thank you. Yes, it is very adaptable. And I hope when the run on flour and yeast is over you'll give it a try and let me know how you liked it. I hope the run is over before I run out completely.
Anne, I'm so glad! I'll have to try that.
Thank you, Ellen. I made a sandwich with it today. Squares of it can also serve as dinner rolls. And it's just soooo easy to make when you've got other things to cook as well.
Sounds good, Quinn. Who knew grocery shopping was going to turn into such a logistical challenge?! Stick to your plan and stay safe.
Nancy, that's just it, isn't it? Are they actually going to use these panic purchases, or are they going to let it go to waste? I can't stand food waste. I do store flour in the freezer, and I'll definitely tell my friend to put that giant bag of yeast in a canister in the freezer. Thanks for the tip!
Oh Jean, this bread just looks wonderful! I feel like I can smell the warm, yeast smell right now. :) I love to dip bread in olive oil seasoned with a few herbs and a tad of garlic. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I will definitely have to try it.
I hope all is well with you and yours. Have a good weekend!
Hugs,
Denise
Bread, a good idea, Jean. The same thing has happened here too in the supermarkets. There is no flour left on the shelves. I think we have enough flour in our cupboard though. I have a couple of tins of," Allinson easy bake yeast." The date on the the most recent one is 2017. Its been sealed. Maybe it will still work? The kneeding part is good exercise from what I remember. All the best, Tony
Greetings from the Central Oregon Coast! I wrote you a couple years ago when I saw you had the same "blue onion" china that I have. Now I see you have the same (don't know the pattern name) blue and white as my mother. Great taste!
I love the idea of this pan bread recipe - and the various add-ins! When my current loaf of bread is gone, I will make this. There are no stores in my coastal village, so I make sure to always have plenty of flour and yeast in the pantry.
I always enjoy reading your blog. Thanks, Jean.
Julie aka Charulie@msn.com
I’m so happy to have a variation on the other no-knead breads! Will give this a try over the weekend! Thanks, Jean! Hope you are staying well and safe!
Denise, thank you so much. I hope you'll try it soon and enjoy it as much as we do. Stay well!
Tony, thank you. Your yeast will probably work, but if flour is precious just now I'd open one of the tins, give it a good stir and test it first. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon sugar in 1/2 cup warm water and stir in 2 1/4 teaspoons of yeast. After 10 minutes, it should be bubbling and expanding; and after another 10 minutes, it should look puffy. Then proceed with the recipe subtracting those amounts from the recipe amounts.
Julie, thanks so much. Good to hear from you again. Yes, "great taste"--I have a hodgepodge of blue and white china. Love it. Glad your pantry is well-stocked. Stay in and stay well! Let me know how the bread turns out for you.
Thank you, David. You'll find this to be completely different from the typical no-knead bread. Different shape, taste and texture. Can't decide if I like it best made with olive oil or butter, so I alternate. Happy baking!
It looks really good and not that hard to make. Thanks so much for linking up with me at my #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 11, open April 1 to 26. All entries shared on social media if share buttons installed.
Thanks, Dee! Yes, I have share buttons!
There is something calming about making bread. Even more calming is eating it. With butter, Mr Delightful Repast! I love your suggestions for turning this no-knead pan bread into focaccia or strudel topped treats. Versatile!
Thanks, Sue! We do love our butter! Today I split a square of it horizontally and made an avocado sandwich for lunch. Soooo good.
Bread is such a satisfying thing to bake. I have a sourdough starter that I use, so the yeast shortage hasn't affected me. What a great recipe for beginning bread bakers. Your plate is gorgeous!
Thank you, Lorrie. I would love to see lots of new bread bakers start out with this recipe. I love using my sourdough starter, too. Unfortunately, we've had a shortage of flour as well as yeast. I'll probably run out of flour first. Yikes! Not a good situation for breadaholics!
This looks like a super easy bread to make, I have pinned it so I can give it a go later...I might even get one of the kids to make it.
Thanks
Thank you! I will be making this asap.
Anne, thanks so much. It's so tasty, too. And, yes, a great one for the kids!
Darlene, thank you. Hope you'll let me know how it turned out for you!
Yum
Thanks, R's Rue. (She is a woman of few words, but she packs a lot into them in her poems.)
What a lovely, easy and delicious recipe, Jean. It's so good to have a go to recipe like this on hand at any time, but especially now. It's so nice to be able to have homemade bread at relatively short notice as you can with this recipe. Thankfully we can get flour a bit more easily here now, and although yeast is still unavailable in grocery stores, I got enough for 8 loaves of bread (or the equivalent) online at Amazon. Phew! Hope to give this versatile pan bread a try soon. Thank you so much for sharing excellent recipe with the Hearth and Soul Link Party. I’m featuring it at the party this week. Hope to ‘see’ you there later. Stay safe and well.
April, thank you so much. AND for featuring it at #HearthAndSoul! I'm glad you have flour and yeast. I make bread often, so being down to about 8 pounds of plain flour is making me nervous! :D There is only one kind of store-bought bread that is acceptable to Mr Delightful and it has been difficult to find at this time, so ...
A lovely recipe, Jean. No wonder we are all making bread, it is so satisfying to make. And to eat.
Amalia
xo'
Thank you, Amalia. Even if I couldn't eat it, I'd want to make it just to smell it baking!
I'm going to try this... Today! GREG
Thanks, Greg! With the melted butter or olive oil in the dough? I alternate between the two because I like it both ways.
Mmm, thanks for this! I tried to get yeast last week, but the store was still out. I'm going to try again this week. I would love to try this bread.
Thank you, Pam. I do hope you (and *I*!) can find yeast this week! Let me know how it turns out for you.
That does look good Jean, thanks for sharing the recipe idea.
All the best Jan
Thanks, Jan. Good to hear from you. Stay safe!
This is a bread recipe even I might tackle!
I hope you will, Reidland Family! It is sooooo easy, and it's versatile. You can even cut it into six squares and split each square to make 12 slices of sandwich bread or toast.
Your Pan Bread will be a great recipe to use anytime but especially right now, looks great! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and please come back soon!
Miz Helen
Thanks, Miz Helen. I always enjoy Full Plate Thursday.
Restaurants? What are those? :-) This is a really clever recipe -- and it sounds SO flavorful. Olive oil for me, too, please (although I'll never turn down butter!). Good stuff -- thanks.
So happy to have found your blog through Charming Homes & Gardens Jean! I love this recipe - and your writing style! Thanks for the inspiration and entertainment! 💗
Thanks, John! I'm getting so used to not eating anything I didn't make myself, I may just stay home even when the restaurants reopen!
Barbara, thank you so much! I'm glad to have found your charming blog as well!
Jean - so sorry it took me this long to get back to you. I have been too busy eating this bread! It is fantastic - I love the texture and taste. It makes for perfect toast or sandwiches. For my second loaf, I topped it with orange olive oil and rosemary - a delightful combination. This is our new go-to bread for the week! Thank you so much for the recipe.
David, thank you soooo much. You just made my day! That oil and herb combination IS delightful; I must try it soon on the bread. I'm making more today, but am out of rosemary at the moment.
I do like a bread recipe that helps me get good quality carbs and butter into me quicker - this sounds delicious!
I love making homemade bread Jean, and I love the process that it takes to get the bread made... but wow, this bread looks amazing, and so easy to make! I'm saving the recipe for an occasion that needs a quick, unattended bread. Thank you! Many blessings to you!
Thanks, Amanda! Love that "good quality carbs and butter ... quicker!"
Thank you, Marilyn. Yes, you nailed it, "quick and unattended"--I like that!
My pantry is covered: I always purchase a pound of yeast at a time and 25 lb. sacks of flour. Nothing beats a home baked bread and the aroma as it wafts about the house. Loving your inverted lid setup for proofing. And what's that you have accompanying the bread, olive oil perhaps? A lovely vinegar?
Thanks, Brooks. Yes, a little extra virgin olive oil and a rather decent balsamic vinegar. I use that lid for proofing all kinds of things, sometimes I have to use something in each corner to raise it higher. Works like a charm. Yes, I imagined you bought your flour and yeast in big quantities. I usually just buy three 5-pound sacks at a time, but if I could find a 25-pound bag of organic unbleached all-purpose right now I'd buy it.
Your pan bread looks wonderful, I have plenty of yeast. I like the idea of splitting it and using it for a sandwich. I just pulled out of the oven, two loaves of artisan bread. There’s nothing like homemade bread!
Thanks, Kitty. The smell alone is enough to make it worth making, but homemade bread has a flavor you just can't buy.
Visiting again to say thanks so much for linking up with me at my #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 12, open May 1 to 26. All entries shared if social media buttons are installed.
Thanks, Dee. You're such a good link party host!
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