mixing the yeast in warm water and resting for 10 min
Homemade Italian Bread
3 hrs 45 mins 3 hrs 45 mins
Bread Italian easy, homemade bread, Italian bread
Ingredients:
Dough Instructions
Prep Time Cook Time Total Time
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
(see notes if using active dry yeast)
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/4 cups warm water
olive oil
(optional)
1. Add three cups of flour and the remaining dough ingredients to the bowl of a stand mixer, if you have
one. Otherwise, use a large mixing bowl.
2. If using a stand mixer with dough hooks, start the machine on “stir,” then switch to a low speed to knead
the dough for six minutes.
3. If kneading by hand, stir with a spoon, then knead the dough on a clean, floured work surface for at least
six minutes.
4. After a couple minutes of kneading in your mixer or by hand, check to see if the dough is sticky. Touch it
with your fingertips and pull them away.
5. If there is dough residue on your fingertips, you need to add more flour. Add 1/4 cup extra flour and
knead some more.
6. Check again to see if the dough is still sticky. If so, add more flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until your dough
comes together in a smooth ball and isn’t sticky. It should pull away from the inside of the bowl of your
stand mixer.
7. When you are done kneading, grease your mixing bowl with cooking spray (you can use the same bowl
without cleaning it first.) Place your ball of dough in the greased bowl and roll it around to coat it a bit with
the oil.
8. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for two hours at room temperature.
9. After two hours, peel back the plastic and gently punch down the dough. Cover the bowl again with the
plastic wrap and let the dough rise for another 40 minutes.
The amount of flour you need will depend on the humidity that day. Start with 3 cups of flour, and if the dough
is sticky, add 1/4 cup extra flour at a time until the dough comes together in a smooth ball and isn’t sticky. You
shouldn’t need more than 4 cups of flour total.
If using active dry yeast, you’ll need to proof it first to activate it. In a small mixing bowl, mix the warm water
with the yeast and a pinch of sugar. Wait about 10 minutes, until the mixture foams and bubbles. Then add it
to the mixing bowl with the remaining ingredients. If your yeast doesn’t foam and bubble during that time, the
yeast won’t work, so you’ll need to buy fresher yeast.