The Easiest Bread in the Entire World Recipe
Discover the secret to making The Easiest Bread in the Entire World with this simple, quick, and deliciously crusty recipe. Using just a few basic ingredients and a Dutch oven, you can bake a perfect artisan-style bread with a golden-brown crust and soft interior.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 slices 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
For the Dough
- 6 cups bread flour (Substitute with all-purpose flour if desired, but texture will vary)
- 2 packets rapid-rise yeast (helps the dough rise faster)
- 1 tablespoon salt (enhances flavor and strengthens dough)
- 3 cups warm water (water should feel warm to touch, around 100-110°F)
- Mix Ingredients: In a very large bowl, combine the 6 cups of bread flour, 2 packets of rapid-rise yeast, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 3 cups of warm water. Stir together until a shaggy dough forms.
- First Rise: Gently cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature for at least 3 hours, or optionally refrigerate for up to 2 days for a slower fermentation and deeper flavor development.
- Preheat Dutch Oven: Once the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place your Dutch oven inside the oven to preheat for at least 30 minutes, ensuring it is very hot before baking.
- Shape Dough: Lightly flour your countertop and carefully turn the risen dough out onto it. Gently shape the dough into a smooth round ball without deflating it too much.
- Transfer Dough to Dutch Oven: Lift the shaped dough using parchment paper and carefully place it inside the preheated Dutch oven. Cover with the lid.
- Bake Covered: Bake the dough at 400°F for about 1 hour with the lid on. This traps steam and helps create a crusty exterior.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: After 1 hour, check the crust for a golden brown color. If achieved, remove the lid and continue baking uncovered for an additional 20 minutes to crisp up the crust further.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven, allow it to cool on a wire rack for best texture. Serve warm with butter for a comforting experience.
Notes
- Serve the bread warm with butter for the best comforting experience.
- Store leftovers wrapped tightly at room temperature or in a bread box to maintain freshness.
- You can refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days for a slower rise and richer flavor.
- Using a Dutch oven is key to achieving the perfect crust, but you can use a heavy oven-safe pot with a lid as an alternative.
Keywords: easy bread recipe, crusty bread, artisan bread, no-knead bread, homemade bread, dutch oven bread