Homemade Cheesy Garlic Bread

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp Active Dry or instant yeast
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 Tbsp salt
• 2 Tbsp cornmeal
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan
• 1 cup shredded cheese

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast, stirring until both the sugar and yeast dissolve. Give it about 5 minutes, until a foamy cap forms. In the meantime, stir 1 cup of the flour with the salt in a large bowl.
2. Pour the yeast mixture and olive oil into the flour mixture. Stir until you have a smooth, lump-free batter. Add more flour about 1/3 cup at a time, until it comes together as a dough ball, using about 2 cups total flour.
3. Tip the dough onto a clean surface with a light dusting of flour. Knead until it feels smooth and has lost its stickiness, sprinkling in only a little flour as needed, about 5 minutes total. Put the dough ball back in the mixing bowl, cover it with plastic, and leave it for 1 hour or until it has doubled.
4. Heat the oven to 375ºF. Scatter a generous layer of cornmeal over a baking sheet, about 2 Tbsp. Deflate the risen dough, then pull and press it across the baking sheet until it is about 1/4-1/2 inch thick.
5. Add the butter and minced garlic to a small dish, then microwave for 30 seconds, or until the butter has melted. Brush the garlic butter over the dough. Scatter the grated Parmesan on top, then cover everything with an even layer of the shredded cheese.
6. Bake the bread for about 15 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the edges are just starting to turn golden brown. After baking, cut the Cheesy Garlic Bread down the middle lengthwise, then crosswise into 10 strips, about 1-inch wide. Set out pizza sauce for dipping.