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Crusty Italian Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 148 reviews

This Crusty Italian Bread recipe yields a beautifully golden, rustic loaf with a crisp crust and soft, airy interior, perfect for sandwiches or as a side to your favorite Italian dishes. Utilizing simple ingredients, a yeast-based dough is kneaded, allowed to rise twice, then baked at a high temperature to achieve that signature crustiness.

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 ¼ cups warm water (about 110°F)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it rest for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, which indicates the yeast is active and ready to use.
  2. Mix Dough: Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms, ensuring all ingredients are combined before kneading.
  3. Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for approximately 8-10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, which develops gluten for structure.
  4. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size, allowing the yeast to ferment and produce air pockets.
  5. Preheat Oven: Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place a baking stone or an inverted baking sheet inside to heat, ensuring a hot surface for baking the bread which helps develop a crispy crust.
  6. Shape Loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release excess air. Shape it into a round loaf and place it on a piece of parchment paper. Cover it again with a kitchen towel and allow it to rise for another 30 minutes.
  7. Score and Bake: Using a sharp knife, make several slashes on top of the loaf. Carefully transfer the loaf on the parchment paper onto the hot baking stone or inverted baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  8. Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and cool it on a wire rack before slicing to set the crumb and finish the cooking process internally.

Notes

  • For a crunchier crust, place a tray with water in the oven during baking to create steam.
  • Make sure your water temperature is not too hot or it might kill the yeast; 110°F is ideal.
  • Allowing the bread to cool completely before slicing helps prevent a gummy texture.
  • You can substitute bread flour for a chewier texture and a better rise.
  • Use a sharp serrated knife to slice the bread cleanly without compressing it.

Keywords: Italian bread, crusty bread, homemade bread, easy bread recipe, yeast bread

Find it online: https://thedishspot.com/crusty-italian-bread-recipe/