I’ve had this bread on my mind for quite some time now. I think, ever since I fell in love the double decadence of parmesan cheese crusted with spicy black pepper. It’s amazing…and I realized that with the extra tart tang of cooked apples, the bread would automatically fold into a ‘ménage à trois’ of sorts. Thus, Apple Black Pepper Parmesan Artisanal Bread. This is luxury of which you will not want to let go!

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Apple Pepper Parmesan Artisanal Bread

2 Tbs. butter
1 large apple, cored and diced
2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
3 oz. aged Parmesan cheese, cut into small-ish chunks

1 1/2 cups warm water
1 1/2 tsp. dry active yeast
1 1/2 tsp. sea salt
3 1/4 cups all purpose flour

In a medium skillet over low heat, melt the butter and sauté the apples until soft. Season with plenty of black pepper and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the water and yeast and allow to bloom for about 10 minutes. Stir in the salt, flour, and apple mixture, as well as the cheese, until well combined.

Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and allow to rise in a warm area for about 2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Transfer the risen bread dough to a parchment lined cast iron pot.
Bake for 25-35 minutes, until the bread is cooked all the way through and just beginning to brown on top.

Serve slathered with room temperature brown butter.