The Best Crusty Bread – The next time you want warm crusty bread, give this recipe a try. The outside is crisp while the inside stays firm and moist. To get the true crust effect, start the dough the night before. The aroma of the fresh bread baking in the Dutch oven will make the house smell wonderful. When you open the Dutch oven, there’s the perfect loaf of bread. This is a very easy bread recipe that can be customized with your favorite herbs too.
Ingredients
- 3 cup(s) bread flour
- 1 teaspoon(s) active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
- 1 1/2 cup(s) water, warm
Directions
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STEP 1Whisk flour, yeast, and salt in a 3-4 quart bowl with a tight-fitting lid. I like to use my trusty Tupperware. If you don’t have a bowl w/lid use plastic wrap on a bowl.
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STEP 2Add the water and stir with a wooden spoon until the dough is mixed well.
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STEP 3The dough will be quite sticky and shaggy looking, but that’s OK.
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STEP 4Cover the bowl and set aside for 12-18 hours (up to 24 overnight is fine).
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STEP 5Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place a cast-iron Dutch oven with the lid into the oven while preheating and heat the pot/lid for 30 minutes.
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STEP 6Meanwhile, scrape the risen dough from the bowl onto a heavily floured surface. (Dough will still be very sticky.)
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STEP 7With floured hands, gently shape the dough into a round loaf, making sure there’s enough flour on the surface so the dough doesn’t stick. Let the dough just sit there until your pot is preheated.
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STEP 8Take the hot pot from the oven and gently place the dough into the pot.
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STEP 9Cover with the lid and return to the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
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STEP 10Remove the lid at that time and return the pot to the oven for another 10-15 minutes.
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STEP 11Gently shake the loaf onto a cooling rack and enjoy the beautiful aroma. Give it a chance to cool before cutting into the loaf.
