Timeless Rustic Bread

🕒 Prep: 5 min
🔥 Cook: 45 min
🍽 Serves: 8
★★★★★
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This Timeless Rustic Bread is everything you want in a homemade loaf: crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and delightfully simple to make. With just four ingredients and a bit of patience, you'll have a loaf that will easily become a staple in your home.

Ingredients for Timeless Rustic Bread

Flour: The backbone of your bread, providing structure and texture. All-purpose flour works great, but you can experiment with bread flour for a chewier bite.

Active dry yeast: Gives the bread its rise. Just a small amount is needed for this long fermentation process, allowing for a deeper flavor.

Salt: Enhances the flavor of the bread and helps control the fermentation process.

Warm water: Activates the yeast and brings the dough together. The warmth is key to kickstarting the fermentation.

Tips & Tricks

  • If your kitchen is cold, place the dough in a warmer spot like an oven with the light on.
  • For extra flavor, try adding herbs or seeds to the dough.
  • If you don’t have a Dutch oven, a heavy pot with a lid will work too.

Serving Suggestions

This bread pairs wonderfully with a hearty soup or stew. It's also fantastic with a spread of good-quality butter and a sprinkle of sea salt. For a breakfast twist, top slices with avocado and a dash of chili flakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, you can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a denser, nuttier loaf.
What if my dough is too sticky?
A sticky dough is normal, but if it’s unmanageable, add a little more flour when shaping.
How do I store the bread?
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Timeless Rustic Bread Recipe Walkthrough

Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl. Add in your flour, yeast, and salt. Give these dry ingredients a quick stir to combine them well. Pour in the warm water—it should feel like comfortable bath water. Stir until everything just comes together into a shaggy dough. It won't look pretty, but that's perfectly fine.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave it out on your counter to rise at room temperature. This should take anywhere from 12 to 18 hours, so it's perfect to do either right before bed or as your first task in the morning. You'll know it's ready when the surface is dotted with bubbles.

When you're close to baking time, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a Dutch oven (with its lid) inside to heat up for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, turn your dough onto a floured surface. With floured hands, shape it into a ball—don't worry about being too precise.

Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven. Place the shaped dough inside, being cautious not to burn yourself. Cover it with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. After that, remove the lid and bake for another 15 minutes until your bread has a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Once baked, transfer the bread onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This helps maintain its structure and makes slicing easier.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Minimal ingredients and effort required.
  • Perfect crispy crust with a soft, airy interior.
  • No kneading necessary—a true set-it-and-forget-it recipe.
  • Great for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups warm water

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt.
2. Add warm water and stir until a rough dough forms.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature for 12-18 hours.
4. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a Dutch oven in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
5. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and shape it into a ball.
6. Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven and place the dough inside.
7. Cover with a lid and bake for 30 minutes.
8. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the bread is golden brown.
9. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

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