Description
A simple yet rewarding recipe for homemade crusty Italian bread, perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
Instructions
- Activate your yeast: In a large bowl, mix warm water with sugar and yeast; let sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly.
- Combine flour and salt: Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture, stirring until a rough dough forms.
- Knead to perfection: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth.
- First rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Shape the dough: Gently deflate your dough and shape it into a round loaf.
- Second rise: Let the dough rise again for 30 minutes.
- Score the top: Using a sharp knife, score the top of the dough.
- Bake to golden perfection: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
- Cool before slicing: Let the bread cool completely before slicing.
Notes
For an extra crusty bread, place a pan of water in the oven while it bakes. Use bread flour instead of all-purpose for a chewier texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg