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Crusty Italian Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 53 reviews

This Crusty Italian Bread recipe yields a golden-brown loaf with a crisp crust and a soft, chewy interior. Perfect for sandwiches, dipping, or serving alongside soups and salads, this traditional bread is made with simple ingredients and baked to perfection using a hot oven and a baking stone or sheet for an authentic crusty texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 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 sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is active.
  2. Make Dough: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir together until a rough dough forms that can be handled for kneading.
  3. Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which helps develop gluten for structure.
  4. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
  5. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place a baking stone or an inverted baking sheet inside the oven to heat thoroughly, which will help create a crisp bottom crust.
  6. Shape Loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release air, then shape it into a round loaf. Place the shaped dough on a piece of parchment paper for easy transfer.
  7. Second Rise: Cover the loaf again with the kitchen towel and allow it to rise for another 30 minutes, letting it relax and puff up slightly.
  8. Score and Bake: Use a sharp knife to make a few shallow slashes on top of the loaf to allow it to expand during baking. Carefully transfer the loaf with the parchment paper onto the preheated baking stone or inverted sheet.
  9. Bake the Bread: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom, indicating it is fully baked.
  10. Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely, which prevents sogginess and finishes the crust development before slicing.

Notes

  • Ensure the water temperature is around 110°F to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
  • Using a baking stone or inverted baking sheet helps mimic a professional bread oven by providing even heat.
  • Letting the bread cool completely before slicing improves texture and crumb consistency.
  • Make shallow slashes on the dough to prevent uncontrolled splitting during baking.
  • Store leftover bread in a paper bag to maintain crust crispness.

Keywords: Crusty Italian Bread, homemade bread, yeast bread, rustic bread, baking bread, Italian loaf

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