Basic Italian Bread

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Picture of Basic Italian Bread Recipe Photo: Basic Italian Bread Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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Total Time:
3 hr 26 min
Prep
35 min
Inactive
2 hr 0 min
Cook
51 min
Yield:
1 large loaf Italian bread
Level:
Intermediate
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Ingredients

Directions

Place the water and yeast in the bowl of an electric mixer and allow the yeast to bloom for about 5 minutes. Using a dough hook attachment, add the flour and sugar to the water and mix on low speed until a dough starts to form. Drizzle the oil and salt into the dough and beat on medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes, or until a smooth, firm, elastic dough is formed.

Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl and spray the dough with a thin coating of cooking spray. Wrap the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside to proof in a warm, draft-free place for 11/2 hours or until doubled in size. Remove the plastic wrap, punch down and flatten the rounded dough with the heel of your hand. Roll the dough up tightly, sealing the seam well after each roll. The dough should be elongated and oval-shaped, with tapered and rounded (not pointed) ends.

Preheat the oven lined with a pizza stone to 425 degrees F. Alternately, an inverted baking sheet may be used in place of a pizza stone.

Place the dough on a baker's peel heavily dusted with semolina flour, or cornmeal, or alternately on an inverted baking sheet. Allow the dough to proof, loosely covered with a damp towel, for 30 minutes, or until doubled in size. Brush the dough with the egg white and sprinkle the sesame seeds over the top. Using a razor blade or sharp knife, score 3 (1/4-inch deep) slashes across the top of the dough at a 45 degree angle.

Spray the dough generously with water from a water bottle and place in the oven on the baking stone. Immediately close the oven and bake for 3 minutes. Open the oven door and spray the dough again with the water bottle. Close the oven door and bake for an additional 3 minutes before spraying the dough for a third time (the spraying of the dough will ensure a crisp golden brown crust). Bake the dough for 45 minutes, or until a hollow thud is heard when the bread is whacked with the bowl of a wooden spoon. Allow the bread to cool slightly before serving.

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 84 reviews

  • on May 04, 2013

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    I have made several dozen of these. The bread always turns out beautifully. I note that 2 pkgs of instant dry yeast is perfect. I also up the salt 3/4 tsp. When I divide it into two loaves, and I do now nearly always, I find the baking time is closer to 30 ish minutes. I use a pizza pan that comes with holes in the bottom. I second proof and bake on a piece of parchement as another reviewer has already noted. I reduce the heat after the first 20 minutes to 375. Hope that helps. Bake on!

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  • on March 27, 2013

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    For those who want to know where to buy cake yeast. I found it at Giant supermarket in the egg/cheese section. It is a 2-oz cube.

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  • on February 16, 2013

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    Have made this recipe several times and this is absolutely the easiest and best Italian bread recipe I have ever made. I used 6 tsp of active dry yeast because I didn't have cake yeast. My husband found me a wonderful stone that barely fits inside my oven and I don't have a peel but I used a long piece of parchment paper sprinkled with corn meal when doing the final proof. I then put the bread still on the parchment paper onto the stone to bake it. Baked it for 15 minutes then loosely covered it with foil and baked it an additional 15 minutes because I prefer it a bit lighter in color.Makes the best sandwiches, toast and French toast minus the sesame seeds. Happy eating everyone!

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