Homemade Italian Bread
This Homemade Italian Bread features a crispy golden crust and a soft, airy interior, perfect for sandwiches or serving alongside your favorite Italian dishes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 large loaf (8 servings)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour. Stir to form a dough.
- Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Make a few slashes on the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
For an extra crunchy crust, place a pan of water in the oven while baking to create steam.
Find it online: https://thefoodieplanner.com/homemade-italian-bread/