Description
Learn how to bake the perfect loaf of crusty Italian bread with this easy-to-follow recipe. Impress your family and friends with your baking skills!
Ingredients
Scale
All-purpose flour:
- 4 cups
Salt:
- 2 teaspoons
Sugar:
- 1 tablespoon
Active dry yeast:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons
Warm water:
- 1 1/2 cups (110°F)
Cornmeal:
- For dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Yeast Mixture: Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix the Dough: Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn out dough onto a floured surface. Knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth.
- First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1-2 hours.
- Shape the Loaf: Shape dough, place on cornmeal-dusted baking sheet.
- Second Rise: Cover loaf and let rise for 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat the Oven: Set oven to 450°F with water pan on the bottom rack.
- Score the Loaf: Make slashes on top of the loaf.
- Bake the Bread: Bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Cool and Slice: Cool on wire rack before slicing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (50g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: crusty Italian bread, bread recipe, homemade bread, Italian cuisine
