How To Make Italian Bread - Detailed steps for making Italian Bread Dough by Hand

flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: all-purpose flour

Whole wheat flour is more nutritious, while all-purpose flour is often less expensive.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and is healthier, while vegetable oil is usually cheaper.

Pour 2-1/2 cups of hot water into a large bowl.

Add 2 tsp. of sugar and 1 tsp. of honey to the hot water and mix well until dissolved.

Sprinkle 2 packages of yeast into the hot water and mix until creamy brown. Let sit for 2 minutes.

Add 2 cups of bread flour and mix well. Let sit for about 2 minutes.

Mix in 1 tbsp. of salt and then add 4-1/2 cups of all purpose flour, one cup at a time, mixing as you go.

Pour the dough out onto a lightly floured board, form into a ball, and cover with a towel. Let rest for 15 minutes.

Knead the dough by hand for 25 minutes, using extra flour as needed to prevent stickiness.

After about 15 minutes of kneading, add about 1/2 tsp. of olive oil to your hands and knead it into the dough. Repeat this process with more olive oil as needed.

Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1-1/2 hours until doubled in size.

Shape the dough into loaves and let rise again briefly before baking.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and bake for 40 minutes until golden brown.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens