Crusty, yummy homemade bread.

This easy crusty bread recipe uses just flour, salt, yeast, and water, yet delivers a deeply flavorful loaf with minimal effort. The long overnight rise develops a rich, slightly tangy taste and chewy interior. Baking in a preheated Dutch oven traps steam, creating a crisp, golden crust that shatters deliciously with each bite. Serve this bread warm, sliced thick, alongside soups, stews, or salads, or simply with butter and jam for breakfast. For gatherings, tear and share at the table, or use as a base for bruschetta or cheese boards. Its rustic charm and hearty texture elevate any meal.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon instant yeast (or active dry yeast)
• 1½ cups warm water (about 110°F)

Directions

1. Mix Dough
   • In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and yeast.
   • Add warm water and stir until a shaggy dough forms. No need to knead—just mix until combined.
   • Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid.
2. Let It Rise
   • Let the dough rest at room temperature for 12–18 hours (overnight works great). It should double in size and look bubbly.
3. Shape & Rest
   • Flour your hands and a surface. Gently shape the dough into a ball (it’ll be sticky!).
   • Place on parchment paper, cover with a towel, and let it rest for 30–60 minutes.
4. Preheat Oven & Dutch Oven
   • Place a Dutch oven (or heavy pot with lid) in the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C) for at least 30 minutes.
5. Bake
   • Carefully lift the dough (with parchment) and place it in the hot Dutch oven.
   • Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
   • Remove the lid and bake another 10–15 minutes until golden and crusty.
6. Cool & Enjoy
   • Let cool on a rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Tips

• If you don’t have a Dutch oven, use any oven-safe pot with a lid.
• For extra flavor, add herbs, garlic, or cheese to the dough before the first rise.

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