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Crusty Italian Bread Recipe

Crusty Italian Bread Recipe

There's nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread!
4.64 from 162 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 LARGE LOAVES- 12 slices
Calories 131 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ⅓ cups lukewarm water
  • 2 teaspoons yeast
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 3 ½ - 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg beaten plus one tablespoon of water to make the egg wash

Instructions
 

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the water, sugar, and yeast. Let it stand until it becomes foamy and the yeast is activated
  • Add the olive oil, salt, Italian seasoning, and 3 cups of flour. Using the hook attachment of your stand mixer, mix until a soft dough is formed. You may need to add more flour, but do it little by little just until the dough forms and separates from the side of the bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth.
  • Let the dough rise for about 30 minutes in a warm dry place like your oven (make sure it is turned off). After the dough has risen, take it out of the bowl, divide it in half and form two loaves. Place them in a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cut a slit all along the length of each loaf and let them rise again for another 30 minutes
  • Once they have risen, brush the loaves with egg wash and place a roll made with parchment paper between them to prevent them from sticking to each other if they grow to be too close together. Place a shallow dish filled with water in the lower rack of the oven, and bake them at 350 F for 30 minutes or until brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 131kcalCarbohydrates: 28.5gProtein: 3.7gFat: 1g