This is my Grandma Ruggiero’s bread recipe that I’ve been making for years. I used to mix it all by hand, but as a hairdresser and jewelry maker, my hands do enough work already. A while back I invested in a bread machine, and it’s been one of my best kitchen purchases. It saves my hands while still letting me enjoy fresh, homemade bread.
I don’t bake the bread in the machine. I only use it to mix and knead the dough and let it rise. Then I shape it, bake it in the oven, and enjoy that fresh-out-of-the-oven flavor.
This recipe is incredibly versatile. From one batch, I can make:
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Two 14-inch pizzas
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Two small loaves of bread (round or long)
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About 8 fold-over rolls
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About 12 mini dinner rolls
I’ll be honest, I don’t measure when dividing it up. I just go for it, and it always works out.
My Favorite Baking Pan:
For years I’ve used an enamel cast-iron platter (no longer available) that’s very similar to this Lodge 14-inch cast iron pizza pan. I use it for everything: pizzas, loaves, and rolls.
To clean it, I usually just wipe it down with a paper towel, then rub on a thin layer of olive oil, and store it until next time. Sometimes I re-oil it before I use it if it seems too dry.
Baking Notes:
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Oven temperature: I bake at 425°F in my electric oven. When I had a gas oven, I used 450°F.
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Baking time: Start checking around 16 minutes. Rarely does anything need more than 22 minutes, but ovens vary, so you’ll want to learn what works for yours.
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Topping tip: For rolls or bread, I like to brush the dough with an egg white wash, then sprinkle with roasted sesame seeds, garlic, or whatever topping I’m in the mood for.
Grandma Ruggiero’s Bread Dough Recipe:
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1 ½ cups water
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2 ½ tablespoons olive oil
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1 ½ teaspoons salt
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4 cups bread flour
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2 ½ teaspoons dry active yeast
Add the ingredients to your bread machine in this order. Set it to mix, knead, and rise (about 1.5 hours). When it’s finished, remove the dough, shape it, and bake as desired.
Here are some of my favorite items I use all the time in my kitchen:
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Cuisinart Bread Maker Machine – this is my second one in 20 years.
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KitchenArt stainless steel measuring spoon set – I’ve had these for years.
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Cuisinart stainless steel measuring cups – durable and classic.
I love experimenting in the kitchen. I’ll add a little of this, a little of that, and see what becomes of it. That’s part of the fun!
This dough recipe has been in my family for generations, and it’s one of those things that makes the whole house smell like home. I hope you enjoy trying it and making it your own.
xo~ Dawn
PS- Next up my meatball recipe for yummy meatball sliders!
