Italian Bread Recipe
A basic, oval, crusty loaf with a soft crumb and good flavor. This Italian bread recipe is the way white bread should taste! It's so easy to make and yields two large loaves perfect for sandwiches, dipping in oil, and leftovers can be turned into breadcrumbs!
Equipment
- 1 electric stand mixer
- 2 large baking sheets, (lined with parchment paper)
- 4-cup measuring cup
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 cups warm water, (104°F)
- 2 tbsp dry active yeast
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 5-6 cups all-purpose flour, (depending on the flour you use, it may take 5 cups or more)
- 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a 4-cup measuring cup, dissolve yeast in water and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Combine 5 cups of flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl or stand mixer. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil.
- Knead the dough for 7 minutes, using your hands or the dough hook attachment of your mixer. Gradually add more flour until it comes away from the sides of the bowl. I used about 5 cups of flour, but this will depend on the type of flour you use.
- Cover the dough and allow it to rise for about an hour or until it reaches the rim of the bowl.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Cut the dough in half and pat each piece into a rectangle.
- Roll it up in jelly roll style from the widest end. Form the loaves into an oval shape, pinching down the bottom seams. Gently stretch and roll into logs approximately 14.5" long by 3"-4" wide and transfer to lined baking sheets. Place them seam down.
- Allow them to rise on the baking sheets for about 45 minutes. Then, preheat the oven to 410°F.
- Using a sharp knife, cut a few diagonal slashes about 1/4 inch deep across the top of the bread, and let it rise for another 15 minutes.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until nicely browned. Remove onto a cooling rack and cool.
Notes
- Italian Herb Bread: In step 3, add two teaspoons of Italian seasoning and one teaspoon of garlic powder to the dough.
- Cinnamon Swirl bread: After you pat the dough into a rectangle when shaping, sprinkle sugar and ground cinnamon over the dough, roll up, and proceed with the recipe.
- Italian Cheese Bread: Mix 1 1/2 cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese when adding the flour.
Nutrition Facts
Italian Bread Recipe
Serving Size
1 slice
Amount per Serving
Calories
112
% Daily Value*
Fat
3
g
5
%
Saturated Fat
0.4
g
3
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
2
g
Sodium
1
mg
0
%
Potassium
28
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
19
g
6
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
1
g
1
%
Protein
3
g
6
%
Vitamin C
0.001
mg
0
%
Calcium
4
mg
0
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
