Sweet meets spicy in a way that makes your taste buds do a little happy dance—this jalapeno honey bread is like a warm hug with a kick! Imagine pulling a loaf from the oven, the smell wafting through your kitchen like a delicious secret you can’t keep to yourself. It’s like that unexpected twist in a movie—sweet honey and fiery jalapeno, an unlikely duo that just works.
Steps
- In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir and allow the mixture to rest for five minutes. Meanwhile, in a separate small bowl, combine olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and salt.
- Pour half of the olive oil mixture into the yeast mixture, saving the rest for later. Incorporate the flour into the combined yeast and oil mixture, stirring until fully mixed. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a tea towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F. Pour the reserved oil mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet and use a pastry brush to evenly coat the skillet. Place the risen dough into the skillet, stretching it to the edges, and use your fingers to create dimples across the surface.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic, parmesan, parsley, and salt. Brush half of this garlic butter mixture over the dimpled dough, reserving the rest. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and sliced jalapeño peppers over the top.
- Bake the bread for 18-20 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. After baking, drizzle honey over the bread, and add the remaining garlic butter and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Serve the bread hot for the best flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (90°F-110°F)
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ? cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- ? cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1-2 medium sliced jalapeno peppers
- ? cup honey
- Additional grated parmesan cheese for garnish
FAQ
- Can I use a different type of flour instead of all-purpose flour?
- While all-purpose flour is recommended for this recipe, you can substitute it with cake flour. However, keep in mind that using cake flour might result in the bread rising a bit more than usual.
- How can I control the spiciness of the jalapeno peppers?
- The spiciness of jalapeno peppers can be controlled by selecting the right ones. Older jalapenos, which are spicier, have stress marks like white lines or flecks on the skin. In contrast, younger jalapenos have a smooth, shiny surface and are less spicy.
- What if I don’t have a cast-iron skillet?
- If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, you can use a baking dish instead. A 9×11-inch or 9×13-inch baking dish will work, though the crust may be slightly thinner if using a larger dish. Follow the recipe instructions as usual.
- How much honey should I use when topping the bread?
- It is recommended to use about 1/8 cup of honey to top the bread. However, you can adjust the amount according to your taste preference, adding more if you like a sweeter flavor.
- What is the best way to serve Jalapeno Honey Bread?
- Jalapeno Honey Bread is best served immediately after baking, while it is still warm. This ensures that the bread remains soft and the flavors are at their peak.
Tips
- Opt for younger jalapeno peppers if you prefer a milder spice level; the older ones with stress marks tend to be hotter.
- If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, a 9×11-inch or 9×13-inch baking dish will work, although a larger dish will result in a thinner crust.
- Make sure the water you use to activate the yeast is between 90°F and 110°F to ensure proper rising of the dough.
- After baking, serve the bread immediately to enjoy the best flavor and texture while it’s still warm.
Equipment
- 12-inch Cast-Iron Skillet – Essential for baking the bread to achieve a crispy crust. Alternatively, an oven-safe skillet or large baking dish could work too.
- Pastry Brush – Useful for coating the skillet with oil and applying garlic butter to the bread.
- Baking Dish – If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, you might need a 9×11-inch or 9×13-inch baking dish as an alternative.
