The Best Italian Bread and Pastry Recipes

Italian cuisine is renowned not only for its savory dishes but also for its delightful breads and pastries. From the crusty loaves of bread that are perfect for accompanying a meal to the sweet pastries that make for a perfect snack, Italian recipes never fail to impress. Here are some of the best Italian bread and pastry recipes you can try at home.

1. Ciabatta Bread

Ciabatta is an Italian white bread with a rustic, chewy crust and an open crumb structure. It's perfect for making sandwiches or enjoying with olive oil.

Ingredients:

  • 500g flour
  • 400ml water
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp yeast

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix flour, yeast, and salt.
  2. Gradually add water and mix until a sticky dough forms.
  3. Knead gently and let it rise for 2 hours.
  4. Shape the dough into loaves and rest for another hour.
  5. Bake at 220°C (428°F) for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

2. Focaccia

This flat oven-baked Italian bread is similar in style and texture to pizza dough. It is often seasoned with olive oil, salt, and sometimes topped with herbs or vegetables.

Ingredients:

  • 500g flour
  • 325ml warm water
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 7g dry yeast
  • Olive oil
  • Rosemary (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
  2. Add flour and salt, then knead until smooth.
  3. Let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
  4. Spread the dough in a greased baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and rosemary.
  5. Bake at 200°C (392°F) for 20-25 minutes.

3. Italian Panettone

Traditionally enjoyed during Christmas, Panettone is a sweet bread loaf filled with dried fruits and candied citrus peel.

Ingredients:

  • 500g flour
  • 200ml milk
  • 150g sugar
  • 5 eggs
  • 100g butter
  • 200g mixed dried fruits
  • 7g dry yeast

Instructions:

  1. Mix warm milk with yeast and let it activate.
  2. In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and eggs. Add activated yeast.
  3. Knead in softened butter until smooth, then fold in fruits.
  4. Let it rise for 3 hours in a warm place.
  5. Bake at 180°C (356°F) for 45 minutes.

4. Sfogliatelle

Sfogliatelle are flaky pastries, often filled with ricotta cheese and flavored with orange peel. They are a staple in Neapolitan pastry shops.

Ingredients:

  • 500g flour
  • 250ml water
  • 200g butter
  • 200g ricotta cheese
  • 100g sugar
  • Zest of one orange

Instructions:

  1. Make a dough with flour, water, and a bit of butter; let it rest.
  2. Roll out thinly and spread remaining butter on top, folding over multiple times.
  3. Cut into discs, fill with a mixture of ricotta, sugar, and orange zest, and fold.