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Rustic Country Bread

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A delightful homemade Rustic Country Bread that warms the heart and fills your home with a comforting aroma.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups bread flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1½ cups warm water
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Instructions

  1. Mix the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of bread flour, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. In a separate small bowl, dissolve 2 teaspoons of active dry yeast into 1½ cups of warm water and let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
  2. Combine: Make a well in the flour mixture and pour the yeast mixture into it. Use a wooden spoon to bring the mixture together until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Knead: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. First rise: Form the kneaded dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours.
  5. Shape the loaf: Once doubled, punch the dough down to release the air. Shape it into a round loaf and place it seam-side down on a floured baking sheet or parchment-lined bread pan.
  6. Final rise: Cover with a towel and let it rise for about 30-60 minutes until puffy.
  7. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) about 30 minutes before baking.
  8. Create steam: Place a shallow pan filled with water on the bottom rack of the oven to create a crusty exterior.
  9. Bake: Slash the top of your dough and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
  10. Cool: Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Store leftover bread in a cloth bag or paper bag at room temperature to keep the crust crunchy.

Nutrition

Keywords: rustic bread, homemade bread, country bread, baking, bread recipe

Find it online: https://feastora.com/rustic-country-bread-beginner-friendly-crusty-loaf-recipe/