Witch's Broomstick Bread Recipe

 Witch's Broomstick Bread Recipe

No one can resist the aroma or flavor of homemade bread. We fashioned

the dough into a witch's broomstick to accompany this Halloween

meal.-Taste of Home Test Kitchen

16 Servings

Prep: 40 min. + rising Bake: 30 min.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons active dry yeast

1-1/2 cups warm water (110° to 115°)

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons sugar

2 teaspoons salt

4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons butter, melted, divided

1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 jar (24 ounces) meatless spaghetti sauce, optional

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the olive oil,

sugar, salt and 2-1/2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough

remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about

6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top.

Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Remove a

third of the dough; cover and set aside. Roll remaining dough into a

10-in. circle. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Brush 1 tablespoon butter over bottom half of circle to within 1/4

in. of edges. Sprinkle with Italian cheese blend, 1/4 cup Parmesan

cheese, poppy seeds, garlic powder, oregano and pepper flakes. Fold

dough over filling. Using scissors or a pizza cutter, cut dough into

1/2-in.-wide strips to within 1/2 in. of fold; twist and curl strips

into a brush.

Shape remaining dough into an 12-in. rope. Twist dough and place

above brush for a handle. Brush remaining butter over dough. Sprinkle

with remaining Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with

spaghetti sauce if desired. Yield: 16 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 piece (calculated without spaghetti sauce) equals 198

calories, 6 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 12 mg cholesterol, 587 mg sodium,

29 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 6 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch,

1/2 fat.

Witch's Broomstick Bread published in Taste of Home's Holiday &

Celebrations Cookbook Annual 2009, p243