Super Simple Crusty Artisan Bread

I used to be scared of making bread because I sucked at working with yeast. I would either use water that was too hot and kill it, or use water that was too cold and not activate it in the first place. But there’s such a simple trick to get the correct temperature: use your finger as a tester! The water should be at the same temperature or slightly warmer than your finger. 

As long as you don’t kill the yeast, making this bread will be very easy. All you have to do is dump everything into your stand mixer, let it do the dirty work, then rest the dough for 1-2 hours, and then stick it in the oven! The dough is very versatile as well; not only can you make bread, you also can use it for pizza, cinnamon rolls, and more!

I actually made this for the first time because the store ran out of bread (during the beginning of the panic shopping), but my family loved it! 

Kitchen Bop Music Rec: Location by Khalid

Super Simple Crusty Artisan Bread

Versatile dough that can also be used for pizza crust, cinnamon rolls, garlic knots, etc!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Proof Time 2 hrs

Course Appetizer, Snack

Servings 2 Loaves

Ingredients

  

• 6 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups lukewarm water
• 1 tbsp active dry yeast
• 1 ½ tsp salt

Instructions

 

• In a small separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in some of the lukewarm water, and then set aside.
• In a stand mixer (or large bowl), stir together the flour and salt. While stirring, slowly add in the yeast mixture and the rest of the water.
• The dough should be rather sticky, and it shouldn’t need to be kneaded by hand. When the dough is uniform and comes together, cover the bowl and place in a warm area to rise for 1-2 hours.
• When the first rise is over, punch the dough down and cut it into 2 pieces. Shape into loaves, and let it sit until the oven is preheated to 400 F
• Using a knife, slice each loaf at the top diagonally 3-4 times. This helps make sure the crust cracks in a pretty way. Make each slice moderately deeply, because the loaf will rise as you bake, and if the cut is too shallow it will disappear.
• Place a tray of water (around 2 cups) into the oven at the same time you put the dough in. The steam helps create a really crispy crust. Bake for 30 minutes or until the loaves become golden-brown.
• You can check for doneness by tapping the loaves. It should make a hollow sound when cooked through.

Keyword bread, easy