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Fresh Italian Bread

Close-up of a slice of A Fresh Italian Bread showing the crust and airy interior texture.
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A simple recipe for homemade Italian bread.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
  2. In a separate bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
  3. Add yeast mixture and olive oil to flour mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  5. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  6. Punch down dough and shape into a loaf. Place on a baking sheet.
  7. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
  8. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
  10. Let cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

  • For a crispier crust, place a pan of water on the bottom rack of the oven while baking.
  • You can add herbs or garlic to the dough for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian bread, homemade bread, fresh bread, baking bread, easy bread recipe

Find it online: https://www.meltitclean.com/a-fresh-italian-bread/