Spider Bread Bowl Tomato Soup (Printer View)

Soft bread bowl shaped as a spider filled with creamy tomato dip. Perfect centerpiece for festive parties.

# Components:

→ Bread Bowl

01 - 4 cups bread flour
02 - 1 packet (0.25 oz) instant dry yeast
03 - 1 ½ teaspoons salt
04 - 1 tablespoon sugar
05 - 1 ¼ cups warm water
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 egg, for egg wash
08 - 8 pretzel sticks or thin breadsticks
09 - 2 black olives

→ Tomato Soup Dip

10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 medium onion, chopped
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
14 - 2 cups vegetable broth
15 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
16 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
17 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
18 - ½ teaspoon sugar
19 - ½ cup heavy cream
20 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Method:

01 - Combine bread flour, dry yeast, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Pour in warm water and olive oil; mix until a dough forms.
02 - Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm area for 1 hour until doubled.
03 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Punch down the dough. Shape one large ball for the body, a smaller ball for the head, and eight thin ropes for legs or use pretzel sticks. Arrange on a lined baking sheet and attach legs to the body.
04 - Brush dough surfaces with beaten egg. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown.
05 - Allow bread to cool briefly. Carefully hollow out the spider body to form a bowl, leaving a sturdy crust.
06 - In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium. Sauté onion for 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic for 1 minute.
07 - Add crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, tomato paste, dried basil, oregano, and sugar. Simmer for 15 minutes.
08 - Stir in heavy cream and season with salt and pepper. Blend until smooth if preferred.
09 - Fill the hollowed bread bowl with hot soup. Place the head next to the body and add black olive slices for eyes. Serve immediately for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Fun edible centerpiece for parties
  • Uses pantry staples without fuss
  • Vegetarian friendly and easy to adapt for vegans
  • Ready in just over an hour from start to finish
  • Hands-on baking project that kids enjoy helping with
02 -
  • Rich in fiber and nutrients for a satisfying starter
  • Can be prepped ahead and reheated for easy entertaining
  • Turns any gathering into an instant themed celebration
03 -
  • Be sure to knead the dough long enough for the bounciest texture in your bread bowl.
  • Use a deep bread bowl so soup does not spill over during serving.
  • For extra crisp spider legs always use thin crunchy pretzel sticks and arrange just before serving.

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