Crusty Italian Bread – Easy Homemade Delight 

There's something truly magical about homemade crusty Italian bread—its golden, crackling crust gives way to a soft, airy interior full of holes. This recipe from ThingsCook is simple and satisfying: just flour, yeast, salt, and water come together in a comforting, artisan-style loaf. Ideal for pairing with soups, pastas, or enjoying simply with olive oil, this bread is approachable for beginners and rewarding to bake. Perfect for weekend baking rituals, it's a perfect canvas for herb variations or sandwich-making adventures. 

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups (≈450 g) all-purpose flour
  
  

• 1 ½ teaspoons instant yeast
  
  

• 2 teaspoons (≈10 g) salt
  
  

• 1 ½ cups (≈355 mL) warm water
  
  

Directions

1. Mix – In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt. Add warm water and stir until a wet, sticky dough forms.
   
   

2. First rise – Cover loosely and let rise until doubled, about 2–3 hours at room temperature.
   
   

3. Shape – Lightly flour your work surface. Turn the dough out, gently shape into a round loaf—minimal handling to preserve airiness.
   
   

4. Proof – Place loaf on parchment; cover and let rest while preheating oven to 450 °F (230 °C) with a baking stone or sheet inside.
   
   

5. Add steam – Place an oven-safe dish with 2 inches of water on the bottom rack to create steam for a crisp crust.
   
   

6. Score & bake – Score the top with a few slashes, slide the loaf onto the hot stone, and bake 30–45 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
   
   

7. Cool – Transfer to a rack and cool completely before slicing to let the crumb set.
   
   

Nutrients

(Per slice from 12 slices per loaf; approximate)

• Calories: ~160 kcal
  
  

• Protein: ~5 g
  
  

• Fat: ~1 g
  
  

• Carbohydrates: ~33 g
  
  

• Fiber: ~1 g
  
  

• Sodium: ~290 mg (from salt)