Crusty Italian Bread
Crusty Italian Bread is a homemade delight that fills your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread. With a golden-brown, crackly crust and a soft, airy interior, this loaf is perfect for pairing with soups, slathering with butter, or creating delicious sandwiches. Easy to make and satisfying to eat, this recipe will become a staple in your home cooking routine.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (500g)
- 1 ½ cups warm water (360ml) at 110°F (43°C)
- 2 tsp active dry yeast (7g)
- 2 tsp salt (10g)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (30ml)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine warm water and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Add flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf or round ball. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Score slashes on top of the dough and bake for approximately 30 minutes until golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: For added flavor, consider mixing in herbs like rosemary or garlic powder before baking. High-protein bread flour can be used for enhanced texture.