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Basic Italian Bread

Emeril Lagasse

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2003

Show: The Essence of EmerilEpisode: Yeast Breads

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (37)

  • Cook Time:

    51 min

  • Level:

    Intermediate

  • Yield:

    1 large loaf Italian bread

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Times:

Prep
35 min
Inactive Prep
2 hr 0 min
Cook
51 min
Total:
3 hr 26 min
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups water, lukewarm
  • 1 3/4 ounces cake yeast (1/3 cup)
  • 5 3/4 cups bread flour
  • 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 egg white, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

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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Read more Comments & Reviews (37)

Comments & Reviews

  • recipe Basic Italian Bread
    amber north syracuse, NY 11-24-2009

    Flag

    Where Can you find Cake Yeast...?

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    I was looking for cake yeast and all i found was the dry east and the bread machine yeast. Can anyone help me? Thank you.
  • recipe Basic Italian Bread
    null null, null 11-09-2009

    Flag

    Yeast conversions

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    Yeast Crisis, try this Red Star Yeast link might help. http://www.redstaryeast.com/lessons/yeast_conversion_table/
  • recipe Basic Italian Bread
    HARRIETT Broooklyn, NY 11-03-2009

    Flag

    This reipe is outstanding

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    I Have tried many italian bread recipes in the pass, made this last night and it was great. the inner texture was just like... it came from the bakery. The crispness was perfect. I did change the last step in the recipe. I used parment paper to let it rise on a second time for 30 min. and then i transferred the dough and parmoent to the stone it was easlier to handle. this bread is outstanding. My husband could not beleived i baked it. Read more
  • recipe Basic Italian Bread
    Wendy Hudson, FL 11-02-2009

    Flag

    Yeast Crisis

    Rated: 4 stars out of 5
    I can't find cake yeast, so how much active yeast should I use for this recipe?
  • recipe Basic Italian Bread
    Anna Canton, GA 07-31-2009

    Flag

    Exactly what I have been looking for

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    I made this recipe with the intention of making hoagie rolls for meatball subs. And this is perfect. I didnt cook for a... full 45 minutes, since the loaves were smaller. The rolls came out so good, we ate a whole one before Dinner.Read more
  • recipe Basic Italian Bread
    Molly Oxford, OH 04-27-2009

    Flag

    Outstanding!

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    I made this recipe today & the bread turned out wonderfully! Probably the best homemade Italian bread I've ever made. I... split the dough to make one loaf of bread & use the other half for Stromboli. Both were delicious! I will definitely make this again. Mine only took 30 minutes, but that could be because the loaves were smaller. Next time I think I'll mix some Italian seasoning in to make a seasoned loaf.Read more
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