Easy bread recipe

Easy bread recipe

Baking homemade bread can be a comforting and rewarding task, even for those with little or no

baking experience. This easy bread recipe is designed to be easy and ensure everyone can make a

beautiful bread with a soft interior and golden crust. No stand mixer or special equipment is required.

All you need are a few basic ingredients and a little patience. Immerse yourself in the world of baking

with a recipe that will fill your kitchen with the warm and enticing smell of freshly baked bread.

Ingredients:

3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1 teaspoon (5 g) salt

1/2 teaspoon (2 g) instant yeast

1 1/2 cups (360 ml) warm water (approx. 110° F) or 45°C)

1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil to grease the bowl

Instructions:

MIXING THE DOUGH:

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt and instant yeast. Add the warm water and mix with a

wooden spoon or rubber spatula until a shaggy dough forms. The dough will be sticky; that is normal.

2. FIRST RISE:

Lightly grease another bowl with olive oil and place the dough in this bowl.Turn the dough in the

bowl so that it is covered with the oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and

let stand in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 to 2 hours.

3. SHAPING THE DOUGH:

After the first rise, lightly flour the work surface and your hands. Gently place the dough on the

surface, fold it over itself a few times and form it into a rough ball.If the dough is very sticky, lightly

flour the top of the dough as well.

4. SECOND RISE:

Place the dough, seam side down, on a piece of baking paper. Cover it lightly with the tea towel again

and let it sit until it puffs up a little, but not necessarily double, about 30 to 45 minutes.

5.PREHEAT YOUR OVEN:

While the dough is rising for the second time, place a pot (with a lid) in your oven and preheat it to

450°F (230°C). This step is crucial because the preheated Dutch oven simulates a professional bread

oven and creates a steam-filled environment that helps the bread rise and form a crust.

6. BAKE:

Once the dough has risen for the second time and the oven is preheated, carefully remove the pan

from the oven (it will be extremely hot). Lift the dough with baking paper and lower it into the

pot.Cover it with the lid.

Bake with the lid closed for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until

the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Remove the bread from the pot using the baking paper and place it on a rack to cool.

7. COOL:

Let the bread cool on a rack for at least an hour before cutting.This waiting time is crucial because it

allows the structure of the bread to stabilize and develop flavor.

Tips for Success:

Water Temperature: Make sure the water is warm but not hot to activate the yeast without killing it.

Moisturizing the Dough: This recipe creates a moist dough, which is key to developing a light, airy

interior. Resist the temptation to add too much extra flour when shaping.

Generate steam: The Dutch oven removes steam from the dough while baking, which is essential for a

crispy crust. If you don’t have a pot, you can place a pot of water on the bottom rack of your oven to

create a steamy environment.This easy bread recipe is just the beginning of your bread baking

journey. Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can experiment with adding herbs, cheese, or

other ingredients to customize your bread. The joy of baking homemade bread lies not only in the

delicious results, but also in creating something from simple ingredients that provides a sense of

accomplishment and the warmth of sharing it with others.

For more recipes click here

Thank you for follow me on facebook