Italian Bread
A straightforward recipe to make delicious homemade Italian bread with a crusty exterior and soft interior, perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups All-purpose flour Or bread flour for extra chewiness
- 1.5 cups Warm water Not scalding, just warm to touch
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast One packet
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil Optional for flavor
- 1 teaspoon Sugar To activate the yeast
Instructions
Preparation
- Mix warm water with yeast and sugar in a bowl. Let it sit until foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Pour the yeasty water into the flour mixture and knead until a smooth dough forms.
- Cover the bowl and let the dough rise until double in size, about 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough, form it into a log, and let it rise again for about 30 minutes.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a tray of hot water inside for steam.
- Slash the top of the dough with a sharp knife.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Serving
- Allow the bread to cool before slicing to prevent a gummy texture.
- Serve with soups, make garlic bread, or use for sandwiches.
Notes
For best results, use steam while baking and let cool completely before slicing. Store in a paper bag to maintain crust.