Crafting the Ultimate Beverage

Base Preparation:

Begin by blending fresh fruits, yogurt, and honey until smooth. The mixture should have a creamy texture.

Flavor Infusion:

Slowly add spices or herbs of your choice, ensuring even distribution. This step enhances the depth of flavor.

Base Preparation:

Begin by blending fresh fruits, yogurt, and honey until smooth. The mixture should have a creamy texture.

Flavor Infusion:

Slowly add spices or herbs of your choice, ensuring even distribution. This step enhances the depth of flavor.

Base Preparation:

Begin by blending fresh fruits, yogurt, and honey until smooth. The mixture should have a creamy texture.

Baking Tips

For an extra crusty bread, spray the inside of your oven with water from a spray bottle a few times during the first 10 minutes of baking

The longer you let the dough rise, the more flavor it will develop – you can even do an overnight rise in the refrigerator

If you don't have a spray bottle, you can toss a few ice cubes into the bottom tray instead of hot water

Always ensure your yeast is fresh and active before starting – if it doesn't foam up during activation, it may be dead

For a chewier texture, you can substitute bread flour for all-purpose flour

Room temperature matters for rising – in cold weather, place your dough in a slightly warm oven (turned off) or near a sunny window

Don't rush the cooling process – cutting into hot bread can make it gummy inside

Handle the dough gently during shaping to preserve the air bubbles that give the bread its light texture

For a softer crust, brush the hot bread with butter as soon as it comes out of the oven

Store leftover bread at room temperature in a paper bag or bread box – plastic will soften the crust

Crusty Italian Bread Recipe: Easy Homemade Delight

Name: Crusty Italian Bread Recipe: Easy Homemade Delight
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 3 h 55 min
Yield: 2 medium loaves
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: For the Bread Dough:; 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting; 2 teaspoons (12g) salt; 2 1/4 teaspoons (7g or 1 packet) active dry yeast; 1 tablespoon (13g) granulated sugar; 1 1/2 cups (355ml) warm water (about 110°F/43°C); 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil, plus more for coating bowl; For the Crust:; 1 egg white mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash, optional); OR 2 tablespoons milk for brushing (optional); 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt (optional); 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional); For Baking:; 1 cup hot water (for creating steam in oven)

This authentic Crusty Italian Bread recipe delivers that perfect combination of a crackling golden crust and a soft, airy interior that makes Italian bread so irresistible. With just a handful of basic ingredients and some patience, you'll create bakery-quality bread right in your own kitchen. The long fermentation process develops complex flavors and that signature chewy texture, while the steam-baking technique ensures the perfect crust. Though this recipe requires some waiting time for rising and proofing, the hands-on work is surprisingly simple, making it accessible even for novice bakers. Whether you're serving it alongside a hearty pasta dish, using it for sandwiches, or simply enjoying it warm with good butter, this homemade Italian bread will quickly become a staple in your baking repertoire. The intoxicating aroma of freshly baked bread filling your home is just an added bonus to the incredible taste of your homemade creation.

Prep Time

25 Minutes

Cook Time

30 Minutes

Total Time

3H55 Minutes

Chef

JUE

Ingredients

Custard Cream

For the Bread Dough:

4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

2 teaspoons (12g) salt

2 1/4 teaspoons (7g or 1 packet) active dry yeast

1 tablespoon (13g) granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups (355ml) warm water (about 110°F/43°C)

2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil, plus more for coating bowl

For the Crust:

1 egg white mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash, optional)

OR 2 tablespoons milk for brushing (optional)

1 tablespoon coarse sea salt (optional)

1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

For Baking:

1 cup hot water (for creating steam in oven)

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy and activated.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.

Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms, then turn out onto a floured surface.

Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should spring back when poked with a finger.

Lightly oil a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat both sides with oil.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and place in a warm area to rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.

Once doubled, gently punch down the dough to release air bubbles and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.

Divide the dough into two equal portions for two loaves (or keep as one for a larger loaf).

Shape each portion into an oval loaf or long baguette shape, depending on your preference.

Place shaped loaves onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them if making two.

Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and allow to rise again for 30-45 minutes until puffy.

While the dough is rising for the second time, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and place an empty metal baking pan on the bottom rack.

Just before baking, use a sharp knife or bread lame to score the top of each loaf with 3-4 diagonal slashes about 1/4 inch deep.

If desired, brush the loaves with egg wash or milk, and sprinkle with coarse sea salt or sesame seeds.

Place the bread in the oven, and quickly pour the hot water into the empty baking pan at the bottom of the oven to create steam (be careful of steam burns).

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing.

Crusty Italian Bread Recipe: Easy Homemade Delight

JUE

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Crafting the Ultimate Beverage

Crusty Italian Bread Recipe: Easy Homemade Delight

Ingredients

Instructions