Description
Rustic Italian Crusty Bread is a delightful homemade loaf that fills your kitchen with the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked bread. With its golden, crisp crust and soft, airy interior, this bread is perfect for any occasion—be it a family gathering or a cozy evening at home. Enjoy it fresh with olive oil, as the base for tasty sandwiches, or alongside your favorite soup. This recipe is simple enough for novice bakers while also allowing experienced cooks to experiment. Get ready to elevate your meals with this crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F / 43°C)
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and yeast; let sit until frothy (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in flour and salt until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
- Gently punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Let the shaped loaf rest for another 30 minutes under a cloth.
- Make slashes on top of the loaf with a sharp knife before baking.
- Bake on a preheated stone or sheet for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped. Cool before slicing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (50g)
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg