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Bread Baking at Home: The Crusty Loaf for Everyday

Bread baking wasn’t on my radar initially. Frankly, I wasn’t a big bread eater. However, it dawned on me that my husband consistently added bread to our grocery list. Amidst the overwhelming bread aisle, boasting numerous brands and their claims of superiority, I couldn’t help but notice the extensive list of ingredients in store-bought loaves. Did these additives even exist 30 years ago? This prompted a nagging suspicion that bread might be simpler than commercial varieties suggest. Thus, I embarked on a journey to learn how to bake bread at home. With just yeast, sugar, water, bread flour, and salt as my ingredients, I discovered a revelation: simplicity reigns supreme. These easily pronounceable, minimal components resulted in a breathtaking loaf that outshines anything found at the grocery store.

Simple Ingredients for Baking Bread

ingredients for a simple loaf of bread which includes dutch oven, parchment paper, sugar, yeast, water, salt, mixing bowl, proofing basket and kitchen towel


Understanding the Bread Baking Process:

Before diving into the recipe, let’s unravel the fundamentals of bread baking:

  • The Role of Yeast and Water: Water temperature plays a crucial role in activating yeast, so ensure it’s lukewarm to the touch. If it is hot, the yeast will die and your bread will not rise
  • The Proofing Process: Proper proofing allows the dough to rise, enhancing flavor and texture. Find a warm, draft-free spot for optimal rise. 
  • Baking Temperature and Time: Preheat your oven adequately to ensure a crisp crust and soft interior. Bake the bread until it’s golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Proofing Process:

proofing of two loaves of bread in bread baskets using bread flour

The Final Result of a Beautiful, Simple Loaf

Fresh baked crusty simple loaf of bread that is on a cooling rack

Shop this Recipe:

Yield: 1 Loaf

Fabulous Quick Crusty Bread

Easy homemade baked bread round loaf in dutch oven. Start to Finish 3 hours

Quick easy homemade bread that can be made weekly with little effort and simple ingredients

Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 9 grams or 2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 4 grams or 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 300 grams or 1 1/4 cup water
  • 8 grams or 2 teaspoons salt
  • 360-400 grams or 2 1/2 cups of Bread or All-Purpose Flour. Plus extra for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Combine Yeast, Sugar, Warm Water in a large bowl and wait for 5 minutes.
  2. Add Salt and Flour to your bowl and mix until no dry flour remains
  3. Now sprinkle flour around your dough, but do not mix it in. This will prevent the dough from sticking to your bowl when it rises. Cover Bowl with a towel and wait for 1 hour.
  4. Gently remove dough from bowl on to your working surface. Pull each corner of the dough in towards the center and repeat until the dough feels tight
  5. Add a sprinkle of flour to your bowl and place your dough loaf seam-side down in the bowl. Cover the bowl with a towel and wait for 30 minutes. The dough will rise again.
  6. Preheat oven to 460 degrees Fahrenheit with a dutch oven or cast iron pot with lid on inside the oven. Preheat this for at least 30 minutes while your dough rises.
  7. Cut a piece of parchment paper large enough for your dough. Gently move dough onto parchment paper seam side up. Use a knife or blade and score the dough
  8. Place the parchment paper with dough into heated dutch oven and put the lid on. Be careful, it will be very hot!
  9. Bake for 30 minutes
  10. Next remove lid and bake for an additional 10-15mins until browned
  11. Remove bread and allow it to cool on a rack for 30 minutes then Enjoy

Notes

    • Make sure the water is warm to the touch and not hot. Hot water will kill the yeast.

© Stacy

With a basic understanding of bread baking process and a reliable recipe at your disposal, you’re well-equipped to embark on your own bread-making adventures. Whether you’re seeking to address dietary concerns or simply enjoy the satisfaction of homemade bread with simple ingredients, this easy crusty loaf is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Embrace the art of bread baking, and delight in the wholesome goodness of freshly baked bread, right from your own oven.

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