Crusty Italian Bread
Crusty Italian Bread is a delightful homemade treat that combines a golden, crisp crust with a soft, chewy interior. This rustic bread is perfect for soaking up soups, serving as a base for hearty sandwiches, or enjoying warm with olive oil and herbs. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll achieve bakery-style results right from your kitchen. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or treating yourself to fresh-baked goodness, this recipe will quickly become a favorite.
- 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 (plus more for dusting)
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F / 45°C)
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for brushing)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast; let sit until foamy (5–10 minutes).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt; add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes or use a stand mixer with a dough hook for about 6 minutes until smooth.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (1–1.5 hours).
- Punch down the dough and divide it into two portions; shape into loaves and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Cover loosely and let rise until puffy (30–40 minutes).
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake loaves for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Find it online: https://familyrecipezone.com/crusty-italian-bread/