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Italian Bread - ItalianCookies.com
Crafting Italian Bread is a straightforward process requiring minimal ingredients. The outcome is a flawless blend of a crispy crust and a tender interior, ideal for sandwiches, toasting, and various culinary applications.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2 loaves
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups bread flour
  • 1⅓ cups water (room temperature)
  • 2¼ tps active dry yeast
  • 1½ tps salt
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp olive oil

Method
 

  1. Combine warm water, yeast, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. Stir the mixture and allow it to rest for around ten minutes until it starts to foam. Add olive oil and salt, then use the dough hook to mix for about 5 minutes. Gradually add flour, incorporating enough to make the dough pull away from the sides of the bowl.
  2. Cover the dough and let it rise until it has doubled in size, which usually takes about 1 hour. After that, punch down the dough and split it into two portions, shaping each portion into a loaf. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and allow them to rise once more until they have doubled in size.
  3. Whisk together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water. Brush the risen loaves with the egg mixture.
    Using a sharp knife, make a single long and swift cut down the center of each loaf, or alternatively, create a few 1/4-inch-deep slits on the surface of the loaves.
  4. Put 2 cups of hot water in a shallow pan and position it on the rack below the bread. It might be necessary to add more water while baking to prevent it from evaporating completely.
    Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the loaves achieve a golden-brown color. Allow the bread to cool before serving.