Description
This artisan bread is the easiest way to achieve bakery-quality bread at home. With just four simple ingredients, a little patience, and a Dutch oven, you’ll have a rustic loaf that’s chewy inside with a golden, crackly crust. The long fermentation gives it a deep, complex flavor while the Dutch oven ensures a perfect rise and texture. It’s the kind of recipe that feels impressive but is simple enough for anyone to make, whether you’re a first-time baker or a seasoned home cook. Serve it with soups, cheese, or just a smear of butter—this bread makes every meal feel special.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups bread flour (or all-purpose)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 ½ cups lukewarm water
Instructions
- Mix flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Add water and stir until a sticky dough forms.
- Cover and let rise at room temperature for 12–18 hours.
- Turn dough onto a floured surface, shape into a ball, and let rest 30 minutes on parchment paper.
- Preheat Dutch oven at 450°F (230°C) for 30 minutes.
- Place dough into the hot pot (using parchment), cover, and bake 30 minutes.
- Remove lid and bake 15–20 minutes until crust is golden brown.
- Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour before slicing.
Notes
- For extra flavor, replace up to 1 cup of flour with whole wheat flour.
- Add-ins like herbs, cheese, or seeds can be folded in after the first rise.
- If your bread feels sticky, don’t add too much flour—keep it light to maintain a soft crumb.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European-inspired rustic bread
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg