Easy Crusty Italian Bread

My friend, Debra Wolcott , used to use her bread machine to make the most delicious Italian Loaf. It had a wonderful sweet and savory taste. I truly miss that bread and am always on the lookout for recipes that taste similar.

Sooooo…today we’re going to talk about how to recreate that amazing flavor you remember!

How to make  Crusty Italian Bread:

You will need:

• 3 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• cornmeal (for dusting)

How to:

Let’s kick things off by combining yeast, warm water, and a teaspoon of sugar with a cup of flour in a mixing bowl.

Give it a good stir and then let it hang out for about 10 minutes until that yeast gets all bubbly and starts smelling “yeasty.”

Once it’s nice and bubbly, add in the remaining flour, sugar, and salt. Mix it all together until the flour is completely mixed in.

Then, toss in that olive oil and knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth and satiny.

Next up, grease up a bowl with some olive oil and plop that dough right in there, making sure it’s coated all around with the oil.

Cover it up with either plastic wrap or a damp tea towel and find a cozy spot for it to rise. It’ll take about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how warm your spot is, for the dough to double in size.

Once it’s doubled, punch that dough down, shape it into whatever loaf shape you fancy, cover it back up, and let it rise again until it’s doubled once more.

While your dough is on its second rise, get your oven preheating to 425°F. Once it’s up to temp, pop that bread in and immediately turn the heat down to 400°F.

Let it bake away for 20-30 minutes, depending on the shape of your loaves. You’ll know it’s done when it sounds hollow when you give it a good thump on the bottom with your thumb.

And there you have it, some homemade crusty Italian bread ready to impress!

Frequent Asked Questions:

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast. Use the same quantity and follow the same steps, as instant yeast doesn’t require proofing.

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Absolutely! You can use either bread flour or all-purpose flour in this recipe. Both work well, and your bread will still turn out wonderfully crusty and delicious.

How long should I knead the dough for?

Knead the dough for approximately 10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and satiny. This step is crucial for developing the gluten structure in the bread.

Can I let the dough rise for more than an hour?

Yes, you can. The rising time may vary depending on the temperature. Allow the dough to double in volume, which usually takes 45 minutes to an hour, or longer in cooler temperatures.

What does “punch down the dough” mean?

“Punching down” is a gentle deflating of the risen dough to release excess carbon dioxide. After this step, reshape the dough before allowing it to rise again for the final proofing.

How can I tell if the bread is fully baked?

The bread is done when it produces a hollow sound when thumped on the bottom with your thumb. Also, the crust should be golden brown. Baking time may vary based on the shape of the loaves.

Why do I need to preheat the oven with a bowl of water inside?

The steam created by the water helps develop a crisp crust on the bread. It’s a technique commonly used to achieve that perfect, crusty Italian bread texture.

Can I make this bread ahead of time and freeze it?

Yes, you can! Once baked and cooled, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

You can checkout the FRENCH BAGUETTES RECIPE BELOW