Perfect Italian Bread Recipe (2 Hr) – Soft Inside Awaits!
A delightful Italian bread recipe that yields a soft and fluffy interior, perfect for sandwiches or enjoying with olive oil.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 1 loaf
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour mixture.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf.
- Place the loaf in a greased loaf pan and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Let it cool before slicing.
Notes
- For a crustier bread, place a pan of water in the oven while baking.
- Store bread in a paper bag to maintain its crust.
- This bread can be frozen for up to 3 months.