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Crusty Italian Bread: Simple Steps for a Golden Crust and Soft Interior

A split image showing a crusty loaf of italian bread and a close-up of its soft, airy interior crumb.
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Bake bakery-quality Italian bread at home with this easy recipe. You achieve a golden, crackly crust and a soft, chewy center using simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 105-115°F)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for the bowl

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add the flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. This develops the chewiness you want.
  4. Lightly oil a clean bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  5. Gently punch down the dough. Shape it into a loaf or two smaller loaves. Place the shaped dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a prepared loaf pan.
  6. Cover the dough loosely and let it rise again for 30 to 45 minutes, or until puffy. While it rises, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a shallow pan on the bottom rack to create steam later.
  7. Just before baking, brush the top of the loaf lightly with water. For a crispier crust, place a few ice cubes in the hot shallow pan on the bottom rack to create steam.
  8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200°F (93°C).
  9. Remove the bread from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. This step helps set the crust.

Notes

  • For the best crust, use a baking stone if you have one, preheated with the oven.
  • If you are planning your weekly meals, this bread is a great side dish that pairs well with many main courses, similar to what you might find with meal planning services.
  • To keep the bread warm, wrap it loosely in a clean towel after cooling slightly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cutcooktaste.com/crusty-italian-bread-recipe-soft-chewy-interior/