Fruited Bread Basket

This is more of a method than an exact recipe…a completely edible fruity bread basket.  I use a can of refrigerated pizza crust, but any pizza, bread, or pie dough will do.  This basket is berry themed, but any combination of fruit can be used.  Let the florist in you shine!

I make two (approx. 7 inches wide) bread baskets from one can of  pizza crust that has been cut into strips and twisted.  This is not an exact science; make one, two or several smaller baskets.  Just keep in mind, the larger baskets require longer strips of dough which are a little more difficult to handle than shorter ones.  

Fruited Bread Basket

1 13.8 ounce can of refrigerated pizza crust

1 tbsp. butter, melted

1 tbsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. cinnamon (or more if you’d like more cinnamon flavor)

cut up fruit of your choosing
a few sprigs of herbs

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Remove pizza dough from can and unroll on a flat work surface.  Gently stretch and shape dough into a rectangle as best as possible.  Use a pizza cutter or a knife to cut nine strips along the length of the dough.  Strips should roughly be 3/4” x 12”.  Cut six of the nine strips in half.  

For the bottom of the basket:

Take one of the half pieces and twist to create a spiral (I hold an end in each hand and twist the ends in opposite directions).  The dough will stretch as you work with it.  Place on a greased cookie sheet.  Repeat four more times, placing the new spirals underneath the previous ones.  Make sure they come in contact. 

Use a pizza cutter to cut and taper the sides (wider on top, narrow on bottom).  

For the handle:

Twist one of the longer strips and attach handle to the top of the basket.  Note: the longer the handle, the more fruit can be added to the arrangement.

Repeat steps for the second basket.    There should be unused strips which could be used as replacement pieces if needed.

Combine sugar and cinnamon.  Brush the melted butter onto the baskets and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.  Bake on upper half of oven for about 18 minutes or until golden brown.  Check oven at the 12 minute mark.  If the baskets bake unevenly, cover the dark areas with foil to prevent over browning.  Allow to cool.  Decorate with fruit and herbs.  Makes 2 (approx. 7 inch wide) baskets.