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Easy Crusty Homemade Italian Bread

Close-up of the open crumb structure of a slice of amazing Italian bread showing large air pockets.
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Bake a bakery-style Italian loaf at home with this simple recipe. You achieve a golden, crunchy crust and a soft, chewy interior using basic pantry ingredients. This recipe is perfect for beginners and great for serving with dinner or making sandwiches.

Ingredients

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  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 105-115°F)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it stand for 5 minutes until the mixture is foamy.
  2. Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix with a spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
  5. Gently punch down the dough. Shape it into a long, round loaf. Place the loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or on a pizza stone.
  6. Cover the loaf loosely and let it rest for another 30 minutes. While it rests, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). For extra crust, place a shallow pan on the bottom rack during preheating.
  7. Before baking, lightly score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife. If using the shallow pan, carefully pour 1 cup of hot water into it to create steam.
  8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  9. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. This step helps set the interior texture.

Notes

  • To get that perfect, crackly crust, use the steam method in the oven described in step 5.
  • If you want a softer crust, skip the steam pan and brush the loaf lightly with melted butter immediately after it comes out of the oven.
  • This bread is excellent for dipping in olive oil or serving alongside pasta meals.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://bringdish.com/easy-crusty-homemade-italian-bread-recipe/