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Rustic Artisan Loaf Recipe

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4.1 from 89 reviews

  • Author: Chef
  • Total Time: 9–13 hours (includes rise time)
  • Yield: 1 loaf
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This rustic artisan loaf features a crisp, golden crust and a soft, chewy interior reminiscent of classic bakery-style bread. Made with simple pantry ingredients and requiring minimal hands-on time, it’s perfect for slicing, dipping, or serving alongside soups and dinners.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 3½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1½ teaspoons active dry yeast

Wet Ingredients

  • 1½ cups warm water (about 105–110°F / 40–43°C)

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast thoroughly.
  2. Add water and combine: Pour in the warm water and stir until a sticky dough forms.
  3. First rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let the dough rest at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours, or until it has doubled in size and appears bubbly.
  4. Shape the dough: Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and lightly shape it into a round loaf, handling gently to preserve air bubbles.
  5. Second rest: Place the shaped dough on a piece of parchment paper and let it rest for 30 minutes while the oven preheats.
  6. Preheat oven and Dutch oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) with a Dutch oven inside for at least 30 minutes to ensure it’s thoroughly hot.
  7. Bake covered: Carefully transfer the dough along with the parchment paper into the hot Dutch oven and cover it with the lid. Bake for 30 minutes to develop steam and crust.
  8. Bake uncovered: Remove the lid and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the crust is deeply golden and crisp.
  9. Cool before slicing: Remove the loaf from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to allow the crumb to set.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, ferment the dough for up to 18 hours during the first rise.
  • If you don’t have a Dutch oven, create steam in the oven by placing a shallow pan of hot water on the rack below the bread.
  • Allow the bread to cool fully before slicing to ensure the texture is fully set.
  • Store the bread loosely wrapped at room temperature and consume within 2 days for best freshness.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: European-Inspired

Find it online: https://kitchenmartha.com/rustic-artisan-loaf-recipe/