I Bake This Easy Crusty Bread Every Sunday

bread flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: all-purpose flour

Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrients, while all-purpose flour is more economical.

yeast

🥗Healthier: sourdough starter

💰Cheaper: instant yeast

Sourdough starter offers a unique flavor profile, while instant yeast is usually less expensive.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil has health benefits, while vegetable oil is budget-friendly.

butter

🥗Healthier: margarine

💰Cheaper: shortening

Margarine can reduce saturated fat, while shortening is often less expensive.

Add 1 and 1/2 cups of lukewarm water to a mixing bowl.

Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of instant yeast and stir gently until dissolved.

Let the mixture sit for about 5 to 10 minutes until it bubbles and foams on top.

Add 4 cups (480 g) of plain all-purpose flour to the bowl with the bubbly yeast mixture.

Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the flour in the bowl.

Add 1 teaspoon of sugar to the flour in the bowl.

Mix the dough with a wooden spoon for about 3 to 4 minutes until it forms a sticky, somewhat shaggy ball.

Continue mixing until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and becomes more uniform in texture.

Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel and let it rise for about an hour in a warm spot until it doubles in size.

Put some flour on your kitchen table and place the dough on it to prevent sticking.

Fold the dough into itself several times, pulling each edge to the middle until it looks tight.

Flip the dough over so the smooth part is on top and roll it into a ball shape on the table.

Cover the dough ball with a kitchen towel.

Preheat a round oven-safe pot with a lid in the oven at 450°F for about 30 minutes.

Drop the dough into the hot pot and score the top with a sharp knife to help it expand while baking.

Place the lid on the pot and bake the bread for about 30 minutes with the lid on.

After 30 minutes, take the lid off and bake for another 15 minutes to achieve a golden brown color.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens