Description
This recipe yields the best crusty Italian bread with a crispy exterior and soft, airy interior.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1 3/4 cups warm water
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined.
- Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf.
- Let it rise again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Place a baking stone or a baking sheet in the oven to heat up.
- Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.
- Transfer the dough to the hot stone and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
Notes
- For a thicker crust, use steam in the oven.
- Store the bread in a paper bag to maintain crustiness.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: best crusty italian bread