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+ servings
Italian Bread Loaf

Italian Bread

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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
RISE 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 18 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 loaves

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 ounce active dry yeast
  • 2 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in remaining flour to form a soft dough.
  • Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shape into two 12-in.-long loaves; taper ends. Place each loaf seam side down on parchment-lined baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 450°. Sprinkle loaves with additional flour. With a sharp knife, make three 1/2-in. deep slashes across top of each loaf. Bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
Keyword Bread, Homemade Bread, Italian Bread
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