Description
This Crusty Italian Bread recipe yields a beautifully golden, crunchy crust with a soft, airy interior. Perfect for sandwiches or as a side to your favorite Italian dishes, this bread combines simple ingredients with a straightforward baking process to create authentic homemade Italian bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 650 grams bread flour (approximately 5 1/4 cups)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups warm water (between 100-110°F)
- 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Egg Wash
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon chilled water
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water and sugar, then sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix dough ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine bread flour and salt. Add the activated yeast mixture, softened butter, and olive oil. Mix together until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Shape the loaf: Punch down the risen dough gently, then shape it into a loaf or oval shape. Place it on a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Second rise: Cover the shaped dough and let it rest and rise again for about 30-45 minutes until it has puffed.
- Prepare the egg wash: Whisk together the egg white and chilled water gently.
- Apply egg wash: Brush the dough lightly with the egg wash for a shiny, golden crust.
- Score the loaf: Using a sharp knife, make a few shallow diagonal slashes on the top of the loaf to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Place the bread in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the crust is deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool the bread: Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Let it cool completely before slicing to preserve the crumb texture.
Notes
- Use bread flour for better gluten development and crust.
- Ensure the water is warm but not hot to not kill the yeast.
- Let the bread cool completely for best slicing results.
- Optional: Place a pan with water inside the oven to create steam for a crunchier crust.
- Egg wash can be omitted if a more rustic matte finish is preferred.
Keywords: Italian bread, crusty bread, homemade bread, easy bread recipe, baking bread, yeast bread