Description
Learn how to make a delicious Crusty Italian Bread at home with this simple recipe. This bread is crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, perfect for sandwiches or dipping in olive oil.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
Additional:
- Cornmeal for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare Yeast Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix Dough: Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms.
- Knead: Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth.
- Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1-2 hours until doubled.
- Shape: Punch down dough, shape into a loaf, and place on a baking sheet dusted with cornmeal.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat: Preheat oven to 450°F with a pan of water for steam.
- Slash and Bake: Slash the loaf, then bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- You can customize by adding herbs or cheese to the dough.
- For a crispier crust, spritz water in the oven for steam.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Italian bread, crusty bread, homemade bread, bread recipe
