Home-made Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

Garlic Pull-Apart Bread is delicious with soups or anytime you want to eat some bread. And who can resist pull-apart garlic bread?  

Ingredients

1 c. warm water
1 pkg. yeast or 2 1/2 tsp dry yeast
2 Tbs. sugar
2 Tbs. butter or olive oil
1 c. milk, warm
2 1/2 tsp. salt
5 1/2 to 6 1/2 c. flour

Topping

8 tablespoons butter melted
4 tsp.  parsley 
1 tsp. oregano
4 or more cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. salt

Directions

Grease 2- 8 x 4 inch loaf pans.

In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast and sugar. Allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes so the  yeast will bloom and show that it is alive.

Mix in butter, milk, salt and 3 cups flour with a wooden spoon or you can use an electric mixer with the dough hook attached.. Gradually add the rest of the flour. When the dough becomes too stiff to stir by hand, turn out onto a floured board or countertop. Gradually add the rest of the flour until the dough is smooth and elastic. Kneading time can take about 10 minutes.  Set aside to rest while you make the topping.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the parsley, oregano, and garlic.  Set aside.

Take some dough and form it into a 1-inch ball between the palms of your hands.  You may need to flour your hands to keep the dough from sticking to them. Dip the balls into the butter mixture and then place them into the prepared loaf pans. Cover loaves with a tea towel and place in a warm location.  Allow to rise until doubled in volume. It can take about an hour. 

Bake at 350°for 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from the oven and while the bread is hot, brush the tops with some melted butter and then sprinkle with salt. 

** If using an electric mixer to make the bread dough, have the dough hook attached. Gradually add the rest of the flour and allow the mixer to knead the dough for 87 to 10 minutes. The dough should no longer stick to the sides of the bowl when it is kneaded enough. 

** You can use fresh parsley and oregano if you have it handy. 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped, and 2 tablespoons oregano.