I love Bread, bread for me is the most important thing ever, I can eat it just plain, with cheese, with butter, with Nutella, give me a slice of bread and I’m a happy camper. One draw back… it has to be delicious and fresh!! Or I will not eat it. I know, I’m a bit spoiled. Growing up in Germany we always had delicious fresh bread, day in day out and I was determined to one day make my own bread, too. Well, life got in the way, kids keep me busy and of course I work and blog as well… But I found an amazing Pinterest Pin a few weeks ago and it was too good to be true. So I decided I would try it, what would I have to loose.
All you need to start the Crusty bread is:
- 3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
- 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon yeast
- 1 1/2 cups water
- Dutch Oven or cast iron pot with a lid
This is how to make it
Step 1
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt and yeast. Add water and mix until a shaggy mixture forms. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 12 – 18 hours. Overnight works great.
Step 2
Heat oven to 450 degrees. When the oven has reached 450 degrees place a cast iron pot with a lid in the oven and heat the pot for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, pour dough onto a heavily floured surface and shape into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and let set while the pot is heating. Remove hot pot from the oven and drop in the dough. Cover and return to oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes remove the lid and bake an additional 15 minutes. Remove bread from oven and place on a cooling rack to cool.
The best part, very little kneading involved; all is done in one bowl till the dough is ready to be “Fluffed” and placed into the “Dutch Oven”…. that’s it!!!
Additional info: You can mix into the dough cheese and herbs or even fruit to make it a different bread each time; just make sure you mix your “flavor” of choice along with the dough and let it sit for an even better flavor combination; no oil or grease needed!!
Check out what the end result will look like… it will make you look like you slaved in the kitchen for amazing, HOT and Fresh Artesian bread for days…. and it is delicious. My kids LOVED it and we are experimenting with different flavor all the time; can’t beat the price of this bread either… No store can compare….We would love to hear from you how you enjoyed it or what your experience was….
I found this amazing recipe over at Simply So Good and had to try it.. it works perfect even on the first try :0).
Betty Baez says
Im a bread girl too, this looks delicious!
Thomas Murphy says
I can’t wait to try this, thanks for the recipe
Jeffrey says
I also love bread but I am not a particular as you. Granted I love a warm fresh loaf but I will gladly eat the heel of a store bought loaf toasted with a bit of honey and homemade jelly. I have made bread at home with okay success so I may have to try this recipe. I have a sourdough starter that I use to make loafs, rolls and my kids’ favorite….Soft sourdough PRETZELS!
CrazyMom says
Ohhh never had Sourdough Pretzels.. LOVE pretzels.. this sounds interesting…Yummm :0)…
Barb W. says
Wow, that does look so good! I need to take the time to make more homemade breads.
Barb W. recently posted..CAMUS Passion Fruit Mousse Cocktail #Recipe
Grace Hodgin says
I am such a bread lover and I can already smell the wonderful aroma!
Grace Hodgin recently posted..The Complete Gluten-Free Whole Grains Cookbook @RobertRoseBooks
Crystal C says
I’ve been wanting to make fresh bread. I have to try this
Crystal C recently posted..Get Organized with ClosetMaid – Kitchen Pantry Review & Give Away
Melanie Roberts says
it is really simple…you will love it!!!!
Sandy VanHoey says
I’d love this warm out of the oven. I use to make homemade bread and dinner rolls but haven’t in som e time. Kind of makes me want to do it again.
Nicole Dziedzic says
I love homemade bread, its the best too for making garlic bread with to go with a pasta dish! My favorite bread is multi grain or sweet Hawaiian bread!
amanda ott says
When do you add the extra flavorings? When originally mixing it up day 1 or when you put on floured surface?
Melanie Roberts says
I usually add the extra flavors like herbs when I mix the first time with all the other ingredients; let it rest and then cheese or dried fruit etc right before baking when I do the last kneading; but you can add it all the first time around. Totally up to you.. the herbs will take on a better flavor the longer they are in the dough especially rosemary. Hope this helps
ellen beck says
I used to make homemade bread all the time and llike you there is nothing better than fresh bread. This looks and sounds delicious. Maybe in the fall I will have to mmake bread again.