Rustic Crockpot Bread

This Rustic Crockpot Bread is proof that making a delicious loaf of fresh bread in your crockpot couldn't be easier!  Who knew?!

If there is one thing on the dinner table in our home that is never, ever turned down, it's bread!  There's something about a hunk of warm bread with a pat of butter that lends itself to almost any meal.  I'd say we literally eat bread with our meal 6 out of 7 nights a week.

What can I say?  We're carb lovers around here!

If I have time and forethought (which are both often fleeting, ha), I'm making fresh bread to serve with our meals.

Fresh bread is awesome because:
1) it makes your house smell delicious while it's baking
2) it tastes freaking amazing
3) it is so easy to make!

This particular recipe is extra awesome because it cooks in your crockpot.  Yes, that amazing machine can cook more than just your dinner and dips.  Who knew, right?

It's true, your crockpot can pump out a gorgeous loaf of bread that will have everyone at the table reaching for more!

Now, I must say that I have only made this dough with my stand mixer with the dough hook attached.

I have seen folks hand knead and even use a spoon to mix bread dough, but I love my Kitchen Aid, so that's what I use.

This bread is rustic, simple, and made with ingredients that you most likely already have in your pantry.

So, are you ready to get baking?  Make this lovely loaf in your crockpot today! And don't forget to make a batch of Homemade Garlic Butter to slather on top. Perfection!

Rustic Crock Pot Bread

Yield: 1 loaf

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 2 1/2 cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions

1. In your stand mixer bowl with the dough hook attachment, mix the yeast with the warm water.  Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.  
2. Add the flour and salt to the mixer bowl and mix for 5 minutes.
3. Coat the top of the dough with the olive oil and flip in the bowl so the whole dough ball is coated with olive oil.  Cover bowl with a kitchen towel and let sit for 1 hour.
4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, fold the dough over itself once, and form into a round ball.  Score the top of the loaf in a cross shape.
5. Set your slow cooker to high heat and line with parchment paper.  Place the dough in the center of the slow cooker and cover.  Cook on high for 2 hours.  Using a thermometer, check the internal temperature of the bread.  Bread is done when the temperature is 190-200 degrees.  Broil for several minutes to brown, if desired.

Notes

• If you have fresh herbs on hand, mince and add to the dough with the flour and salt.
• This recipe is written for a 6-8 quart slow cooker.