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Crusty Homemade Italian Bread: Easy Yeast Bread for Dinner

Close-up of a thick slice of homemade Italian bread showing a beautifully open, airy crumb and golden-brown crust.
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Bake a golden, rustic Italian loaf with a crisp crust and soft interior. This easy yeast bread recipe uses simple ingredients and is perfect for dipping or serving alongside your favorite Italian meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups Warm water (about 105-115°F)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons Active dry yeast (one standard packet)
  • 1 teaspoon Granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil, plus more for coating

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let this mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This shows the yeast is active.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
  3. Pour the yeast mixture and the olive oil into the flour mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, cohesive dough forms.
  4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  5. Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it over to coat the top lightly with oil.
  6. 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 it has doubled in size.
  7. Gently punch down the risen dough. Shape it into a long, rustic loaf shape on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal.
  8. Cover the loaf loosely and let it rest for a second rise for about 30 minutes. While it rests, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a shallow pan on the bottom rack to create steam later.
  9. Before baking, use a sharp knife to score the top of the loaf two or three times with shallow diagonal cuts.
  10. Carefully pour about 1 cup of hot water into the preheated shallow pan on the bottom rack to create steam. Quickly close the oven door.
  11. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200°F (93°C).
  12. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy this homemade Italian bread warm.

Notes

  • For an extra crusty exterior, you can bake the bread in a preheated Dutch oven with the lid on for the first 20 minutes, then remove the lid for the remaining bake time.
  • If you want a softer crust, brush the loaf lightly with melted butter immediately after removing it from the oven.
  • This bread is excellent for dipping in olive oil or serving with pasta sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/easy-italian-bread-recipe-crusty-homemade/