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Chewy Homemade Italian Bread with Golden Crust Recipe

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4.2 from 33 reviews

  • Author: Sky
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings

Description

This Italian Bread Recipe yields a soft and chewy bread with a golden crust, perfect for sandwiches, garlic bread, or dipping in olive oil. The dough is made with active dry yeast, olive oil, and a touch of sugar for sweetness. After two rises and a final egg white brush, it bakes to a warm and inviting loaf ready to complement any meal.

Ingredients

Yeast Mixture

  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 ¼ cups warm water
  • 1 ½ tablespoons sugar

Dough

  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 ½ – 3 cups all-purpose flour

For Brushing

  • 1 egg white

Instructions

  1. Soften yeast: In a large stand mixer bowl, combine 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, 1 ¼ cups warm water, and 1 ½ tablespoons sugar. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast starts to foam, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Make dough: Add 1 ½ teaspoons salt, ¼ cup olive oil, and 2 ½ cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Mix well using the mixer until combined. Gradually add an additional ¼ to ½ cup flour if needed until a soft dough forms that is not overly sticky.
  3. Cover and first rise: Remove the dough hook from the mixer but leave the dough in the bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel, and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has roughly doubled in size.
  4. Roll out dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the dough into a 12-inch long rectangle. If sticky, add flour in ¼ cup increments to ease handling without drying out the dough. Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a cylinder shape.
  5. Prepare for second rise: Place the rolled dough seam side down onto a cookie sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, slash three diagonal lines across the top of the dough.
  6. Cover and second rise: Cover the dough again with the dish towel and allow it to rise for an additional 30 minutes.
  7. Preheat oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
  8. Brush with egg white: Whisk the egg white lightly and brush it evenly over the top of the dough to help create a shiny, golden crust.
  9. Bake: Place the bread in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and firm to the touch.
  10. Rest and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it rest for 30 minutes before slicing. Serve warm for the best texture and flavor experience.

Notes

  • Storing: Store the bread at room temperature in a brown paper bag to maintain its crust and freshness.
  • Freezer instructions: After cooling, place the bread in a large zip-top bag, removing all air before freezing. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature.
  • Reheating: To refresh frozen bread, reheat in the oven at 300°F (149°C) for 5 minutes.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 to 30 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://skysrecipes.com/chewy-homemade-italian-bread-with-golden-crust-recipe/