Quick Italian Bread
Saved in 30 recipe boxes and 9 cookbooks
This is the first time I have ever made bread in my life, and this recipe was really easy. I made both a long loaf and a round one and they both turned out great. Nice chewy crust on the outside and soft on the inside, and great flavor. I'm no longer intimidated of the thought of making bread. Thanks so much, great recipe!!
Ingredients
| 2¼ | teaspoons | yeast, active dry | |
| ⅞ | cups | water | warm |
| 2½ | cups | bread flour | unbleached |
| 1½ | teaspoons |
sugar |
|
| 1½ | teaspoons | salt | |
| 1 | x | cornmeal | to sprinkle on baking sheet* |
Directions
Proof yeast and ½ teaspoon sugar in ⅞ cup warm water for 10 minutes in a warm place.
In processor, mix flour, remaining 1 teaspoon sugar and salt for 20 sec.
With processor running, pour in the yeast mixture in a continuous stream.
Dough should combine and come clean from the sides of the bowl within a few seconds.
Add more warm water by the teaspoon if necessary.
After dough combines, let processor run (to knead) for 30 to 40 seconds.
Remove dough and roll it with your hands to about 18 inches long.
Place on sheet that has been sprinkled with corn meal (to prevent dough from sticking).
Cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap.
Allow to rise in warm place for about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven 375℉ (190℃).
Remove plastic and diagonally slash loaf w/sharp knife at about 3-inch intervals.
Place in oven.
Spray loaf with water or place a pan of warm water in the rack beneath and bake for 20 min or until lightly browned.
Make 1 loaf bread.
First published: 1996-01-27 last updated: 2015-03-02
Eddington, United States
about 4 years ago
AWESOME recipe, which can be used and herbed in many ways....even for pizza dough!!! I am using this at least twice a week, more often if I can think of a new way to serve it, which is easy because it is SOO easy to prepare!!!!
Ocean Park, WA
almost 4 years ago
Looks Great! Can hardly wait to taste them. May have to try it myself.
Ilwaco, United States
almost 4 years ago
Great Job, inkky. Can hardly wait to taste it.
May try the recipe myself.
Lehighton, United States
10 months ago
I needed Italian bread in a hurry and forgot to throw the ingredients in my bread machine... discovered this recipe, easy to do, fast, and I was able to make it tonight to go with sausage and pepper pasta... It was FABULOUS!!!!!