Pane Bianco with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Pane Bianco with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a simple yet flavorful Italian-style white bread, infused with the rich tang of sun-dried tomatoes. Light and airy with a tender crumb, this bread elevates any meal or snack, perfect for sandwiches, dipping, or enjoying fresh from the oven.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 slices) 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- Optional: 1 tsp sugar or honey
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
- Activate the Yeast: Combine warm water with a pinch of sugar or honey and sprinkle in the active dry yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy and bubbling, indicating yeast is active.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add olive oil, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead to Perfection: Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook.
- First Rise: Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
- Shape the Loaf: Gently punch down the dough to release air bubbles. Shape into a round or oval loaf and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet or loaf pan.
- Final Rise: Cover shaped dough and let rise for 30–45 minutes until puffed up.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Make shallow slashes on top to allow expansion. Bake for 20–25 minutes until crust is golden and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool and Enjoy: Remove bread from oven and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to maintain perfect texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure even yeast activation and better rise.
- Keep dough slightly sticky; avoid adding too much flour for a tender crumb.
- Allow enough rising time for fluffy bread.
- Use a very sharp blade to score the dough before baking for clean expansion.
- Brush baked bread with olive oil for a shiny crust and extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 60g)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Pane Bianco, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Italian Bread, Homemade Bread, Easy Bread Recipe, Vegetarian Bread