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Crusty Italian Bread


  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A warm, crusty loaf of Italian bread with a delightful crunch and soft, airy crumb that brings a taste of Italy to your home.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 1 1/4 cups warm water (around 110°F)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let sit until frothy, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add flour, salt, and olive oil to form a rough dough.
  3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover. Allow rising for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  5. Preheat oven to 450°F, placing a baking stone or inverted baking sheet inside to heat up.
  6. Punch down the risen dough and shape into a round loaf on parchment paper.
  7. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
  8. Score the top of the loaf and transfer it to the hot baking stone or sheet.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

For extra flavor, try adding herbs or mixing in olives or sun-dried tomatoes before baking.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 180mg
  • Fat: 3g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: bread, Italian bread, homemade bread, baking, crusty bread