Homemade Artisan Bread

5 from 1 vote

With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a loaf of bread that will have your taste buds dancing with joy.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword Artisan Bread, Homemade Artisan Bread

Prep Time 4 20

Total Time 5 20

Servings People

Calories 170kcal

Equipment

1 Dutch Oven

Ingredients

3¼ cups Bread flour To make the perfect homemade artisan bread, you'll need a handful of key ingredients. The first and most important ingredient is high-quality flour. Look for bread flour or all-purpose flour with a high protein content, as this will give your bread a chewy texture and a nice rise.
2 tsp Instant dry yeast Next, you'll need water, yeast, and salt. Water is crucial for activating the yeast and creating a moist dough. Yeast is responsible for the rise and fermentation of the bread, while salt enhances the flavor and helps control the fermentation process.
2 tsp Kosher salt
1½ cup Luke warm water

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Mix well to ensure the yeast is evenly distributed throughout the flour.
Slowly add the water to the dry ingredients while stirring with a wooden spoon or your hands. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Once the dough has come together, cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 12-18 hours at room temperature. This long fermentation period allows the flavors to develop and creates a light, airy texture.
After the resting period, the dough will have risen and become sticky. Dust your hands and work surface with flour, then gently transfer the dough onto the surface.
Fold the edges of the dough towards the center, creating a round shape. Be gentle to preserve the air bubbles in the dough.
Place the dough, seam-side down, into a lightly greased proofing basket or a bowl lined with a clean kitchen towel. Cover it again and let it rise for another 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a Dutch oven or a baking stone in the oven to heat up.
Carefully transfer the risen dough into the preheated Dutch oven or onto the hot baking stone. Score the top of the dough with a sharp knife to allow for expansion during baking.
Cover the Dutch oven with the lid or create a steamy environment in the oven by placing a heatproof dish filled with water on the bottom rack.
Bake the bread for 20-25 minutes with the lid on, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Once baked, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Tips for achieving the perfect texture and crust

To achieve the perfect texture and crust for your homemade artisan bread, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Use a Dutch oven or a baking stone to create a steamy environment in the oven. This will help the bread rise and develop a crispy crust.
Score the top of the dough before baking to allow for expansion. This will prevent the bread from bursting open in random places.
Let the bread cool completely before slicing. Cutting into warm bread can cause it to become gummy and lose its structure.
Experiment with different flours and hydration levels to find the texture and flavor that suits your preferences.

Nutrition