Artisan-Style Bread

Servings one loaf, Total Time 6 hours + 15 minutes

The artisan-style bread stands out with its uniquely crunchy and golden-brown crust, which crackles delightfully when torn apart. Inside, it features a soft, light, airy crumb that is both tender and slightly chewy, making each bite a satisfying experience. This combination of textures and the complex flavors developed during the artisanal baking process elevate bread beyond the ordinary.

Ingredients:

• 500 gr  Bread Flour

• 350 gr warm water 

• 1 tsp sea salt

• 1 ½  tsp active yeast  

Steps:

1.  Mix flour and water by hand in a plastic container until just incorporated. Cover and let rest for 1 hour. (This is called autolyse. This technique helps develop a smoother texture and strengthen the dough.)

2. Add salt and yeast and mix thoroughly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 30 minutes. 

3. Wet your hands and gently lift the dough, stretching and folding it twice, with 30-minute rests between each stretch, to create a loose ball.

4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a towel and allow for bulk fermentation for 2 hours or until the dough has doubled. 

5. Turn the dough from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Pull the dough into an oval with the short end closest to you. Fold the top end of the dough into the middle and then stretch the bottom back into the middle.  Now, pull each side to stretch and bring it to the center.

6. Flip the dough over so the smooth side is on top, and turn the bottom of the dough in a circular motion on the counter to create a ball.

7. Transfer the ball into a floured proofing basket and let it proof for 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 475° Fahrenheit (246° Celsius) and put your Dutch oven on the middle rack in the oven to get hot.

8. Flip the dough onto parchment paper and score one or two ½ “ slashes. You can create any design you like. This will help your bread rise nicely and keep its shape. Holding the parchment paper from its sides, gently transfer the dough to the hot Dutch oven. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.

9. Remove the lid from the Dutch oven and bake for another 15 minutes. Transfer the bread onto a wire rack and allow it to cool before slicing. Enjoy!