Italian Bread

Preparation Time: 20 minutes (plus rising time)
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours
Servings: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Activate Yeast:
   • In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
2. Mix Dough:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until a dough forms.
3. Knead Dough:
   • Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour as needed.
4. First Rise:
   • Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
5. Shape Loaves:
   • Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a loaf. Place the loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly floured surface.
6. Second Rise:
   • Cover the loaves with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until they have nearly doubled in size.
7. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
8. Prepare for Baking:
   • Before placing the loaves in the oven, make a few diagonal slashes on the top of each loaf with a sharp knife. This helps the bread expand while baking.
9. Bake:
   • Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. You can also use an instant-read thermometer; the internal temperature should be around 200°F (93°C).
10. Cool:
    • Remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Enjoy your homemade Italian bread