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Easy Crusty Homemade Italian Bread: Bakery Style Loaf

Close-up of a perfectly baked, golden-brown Italian bread loaf with a crisp, scored crust.
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You can bake bakery-style Italian bread at home! This recipe focuses on simple ingredients and easy steps to give you a loaf with a golden, crunchy crust and a soft, chewy interior. It is perfect for dipping in olive oil or serving with pasta.

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 this stand for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This shows your yeast is active.
  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 the dough for about 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You want it soft but not sticky.
  4. Lightly oil a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it over to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
  5. Let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This is your first rise.
  6. Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air. Shape the dough into a round or oval loaf.
  7. Place the shaped loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a loaf pan. Cover it loosely and let it rise again for 30 to 45 minutes. This is your second rise.
  8. While the dough is in its second rise, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). If you like extra steam for a crispier crust, place a shallow pan of water on the bottom rack while preheating.
  9. Before baking, use a sharp knife to score the top of the loaf with a few shallow diagonal cuts. Brush the top lightly with water.
  10. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  11. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your homemade Italian bread!

Notes

  • For an extra crispy crust, spray the inside walls of your oven with water a couple of times during the first 10 minutes of baking.
  • If you are short on time, use instant yeast and skip the initial proofing step; mix it directly with the dry ingredients.
  • This bread is fantastic for making sandwiches or dipping into olive oil.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookifyme.com/easy-italian-bread-recipe-crusty-loaf/