Easy Italian Bread
Discover the joy of homemade baking with this Easy Italian Bread recipe, perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. With just six pantry-friendly ingredients—like all-purpose flour, olive oil, and active dry yeast—this recipe yields a beautifully golden, soft loaf with a slightly chewy crust. Ready in under two hours, including rise time, this bread is ideal for everything from sandwich-making to serving alongside pasta dishes or soups. The simple steps, including kneading the dough to silky perfection and letting it rise twice for optimal texture, make this a fail-proof way to fill your kitchen with the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread. Perfect for family dinners, entertaining, or everyday enjoyment, this Easy Italian Bread is a timeless classic you'll want to bake again and again.
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Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Warm water
- 1 tablespoon Active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon Granulated sugar
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
Directions
Step 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently and let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is activated.
Step 2
Add 3 cups of flour, salt, and olive oil to the bowl. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Gradually add the remaining cup of flour, a little at a time, as needed to form a soft, slightly sticky dough.
Step 3
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Add small amounts of flour during kneading if the dough is too sticky, but avoid adding too much.
Step 4
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it to coat the surface. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 5
Punch the dough down to release any air bubbles, then shape it into a loaf or divide it into two smaller loaves. Place the loaf or loaves on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a lightly greased loaf pan.
Step 6
Cover the dough loosely with a towel and let it rise again for 30-40 minutes, until puffy and slightly larger.
Step 7
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If desired, lightly score the top of the bread with a sharp knife or razor for decoration and to help it expand while baking.
Step 8
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step 9
Remove from the oven and let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | 902 grams (902.0g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2075 |
| Total Fat 33.10g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat 5.10g | 26% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 4734mg | 206% |
| Total Carbohydrate 382.40g | 139% |
| Dietary Fiber 14.90g | 53% |
| Total Sugars 13.50g | |
| Protein 53.20g | 106% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 68mg | 5% |
| Iron 23mg | 127% |
| Potassium 705mg | 15% |
Source of Calories