Crusty Italian Bread: Bake the Best Loaf Today at Home
Learn how to bake a crusty Italian bread that is perfect for any occasion. This recipe guarantees a crispy crust and soft interior.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 12 hours
- Yield: 1 loaf
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and salt. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Gradually add flour and mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise for 12-18 hours.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) with a cast iron pot inside.
- Shape the dough into a ball and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Carefully place the dough into the hot pot and cover it.
- Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
- Let the bread cool before slicing.
Notes
- For a more flavorful bread, let the dough rise for a longer period.
- Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg