Carbonara Bread Rolls Wreath

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Serves: 8-10

Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20-25 minutes

About Carbonara Bread Rolls Wreath

This festive Carbonara Bread Rolls Wreath pairs soft, pillowy homemade bread with a rich, savory carbonara-inspired butter packed with crispy pancetta, Parmesan, and freshly cracked black pepper. Baked into a golden wreath, the rolls pull apart beautifully, making them perfect for sharing at any holiday gathering. Served warm and brushed with the carbonara butter, each bite delivers comforting, crowd-pleasing flavor with a touch of seasonal elegance.

Ingredients for Bread

1/2 cup lukewarm water

1 1/2 cups warm milk (100 F - 110 F)

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1 large egg yolk

1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 teaspoons table salt

2 tablespoons instant yeast

5 cups all-purpose flour, plus up to 1/2 cup more as needed

Ingredients for Carbonara Butter

4 tablespoons melted butter

1 cup finely grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese

1/2 cup finely chopped, crisped pancetta or bacon, drained well

1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Optional: finely chopped parsley and red pepper flakes, for garnish

Preparation

01To make the dough, in a large bowl or stand mixer, combine water, milk, butter, sugar, salt, egg yolk, and yeast. Stir well and let sit 5 - 8 minutes until foamy.

02Mix in 5 cups of flour until a shaggy dough forms. Knead by hand for about 10 minutes, or by machine for 4 - 5 minutes, until soft, smooth, and slightly tacky. Add more flour as needed.

03Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover and let rise at room temperature for about 30 minutes, until puffy but not doubled.

04Lightly grease or parchment-line a 12 - 14" round pan or cast-iron skillet. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of the cheese evenly across the bottom to form a thin “crust” layer.

05Gently deflate the dough and divide into 16 equal pieces. Roll each into a tight ball. Place a small, oven-safe bowl or ramekin upside down in the center of your prepared pan to mark the middle of the wreath. Arrange the dough balls in a ring around the bowl so they’re just touching. (This keeps the center open and ensures even spacing as the rolls rise.)

06Combine melted butter, pancetta, black pepper, and remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Brush generously over the rolls. Cover and let rise 20–25 minutes, until full and domed. Begin to preheat the oven at 350 F 15 minutes into rise.

07Bake at 350 F for 20 - 25 minutes, or until golden and an internal thermometer reads 190 F. Bake on the lowest oven rack (ideally on a pizza stone or steel) for crisp bottoms.

08Brush with a little extra melted butter while warm and crack on more pepper. Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes for a pop of color, if desired.