Instructions: Sweet apples and salty bread provide an intriguing contrast in taste. To ensure that the hearth bread remains light and crisp, keep the dough soft: Dont work in too much flour and knead it gently.

Makes 1 loaf (6 servings)

1. In large bowl of heavy-duty electric mixer, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, the yeast, and salt. Slowly beat in water, 1/4 cup olive oil, and the honey; vigorously beat mixture 10 minutes. Cover bowl with clean cloth and let dough rise in warm place, away from drafts, 40 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter. Add apple slices and saute until very lightly browned; set aside.

3. After dough has risen 40 minutes, turn out onto floured surface. Gently knead in as much of remaining 1/4 cup flour as necessary to form a very soft dough - about 1 minute. Gently work apple slices into the dough.

4. Lightly oil large baking sheet. With floured fingers, shape dough into a 9 inch round on oiled sheet. Cover with clean cloth and let rise in warm place, away from drafts, until double in size - about 30 minutes.

5. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. With pastry brush, coat top of dough round with 2 tablespoons olive oil; sprinkle with coarse salt, if desired. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until hearth bread is browned.

6. Drizzle hearth bread with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and serve warm.

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