Crusty Italian Bread Recipe
This Crusty Italian Bread recipe yields a classic, golden-brown loaf with a delightful crust and soft interior. Made using simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and warm water, this bread features a traditional method involving two rises and baking with steam to achieve that perfect crust. Ideal for sandwiches, dipping in olive oil, or accompanying any Italian meal, this homemade bread is both rewarding and delicious.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8-10 servings) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
Other
- Cornmeal for dusting
Instructions
- Activate yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make the dough: Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead it for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the kneaded dough into a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the loaf: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Shape it into a round or oval loaf and place it on a baking sheet dusted with cornmeal.
- Second rise: Cover the shaped loaf with a cloth and allow it to rise again for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Preheat oven and prepare for steam: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a shallow pan of water on the bottom rack to create steam, which helps develop a crusty exterior.
- Score the loaf: Just before placing the bread in the oven, make several slashes on the top of the loaf with a sharp knife to allow expansion during baking.
- Bake the bread: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- For a softer crust, brush the loaf with melted butter immediately after baking.
- To enhance flavor, mix in herbs such as rosemary or thyme into the dough before the first rise.
Keywords: Italian bread, crusty bread, homemade bread, yeast bread, baking bread, traditional Italian bread, artisanal bread
Find it online: https://biteandenjoy.com/crusty-italian-bread-recipe/
