"The easiest most foolproof artisan bread
I discovered this method from @merryboosters years ago and it has been my go-to ever since!
Note: If you are using a regular baking tray instead of a Dutch oven, create steam for crusty bread by placing a pan with hot water on the lowest rack of the oven during baking. Additionally, consider spraying water inside the oven during the initial five minutes of baking to help create a steamy environment."
Easy Artisan Bread
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A Note from Feedfeed
There's something deeply satisfying about creating your own loaf of rustic artisan bread, and this recipe delivers a golden, crispy crust with a soft, airy interior. Simple yet rewarding, this bread requires a bit of patience but minimal effort. The dough, a combination of artisan bread flour, sugar, salt, and yeast, undergoes a slow rise, allowing flavors to develop. Baked in a preheated Dutch oven, the result is a loaf with a beautifully caramelized exterior.
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Prep time 10mins (2 hours 35 minute rise time)
Cook time 40mins
Serves or Makes: 1 loaf
Recipe Card
ingredients
- 390 grams (about 3 cups) artisan bread flour or all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon instant or active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water (95°F)
- Salt butter, for serving
Method
Step 1
In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and yeast.
Step 2
Add the lukewarm water to the dry ingredients. Mix everything together to form a shaggy mass of dough.
Step 3
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough sit and rise in a warm environment for about 2 hours.
Step 4
After 2 hours, preheat the oven to 450°F with a Dutch oven inside to preheat it as well.
Step 5
Transfer the risen dough onto a floured work surface. The dough may be sticky, so dust it with flour as needed. Knead the dough by folding it onto itself, turning, and repeating for 2-3 minutes until a taut dough ball forms.
Step 6
Transfer the dough to a proofing basket or a parchment-lined bowl, cover, and let it rise for 35 minutes or until the dough doubles in size.
Step 7
Place the dough ball in the preheated Dutch oven lined with parchment and bake at 450°F for 30 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 400°F, remove the lid, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. Adjust the baking time based on your desired crustiness, ensuring the bottom doesn't burn. Enjoy with salted butter!