Crusty Bread
Crusty Bread
Nothing tastes better than crusty bread sopped in a soup or sauce.
Servings
8
Ingredients
- 2 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 5 1/2 cup bread flour
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Place the warm water and sugar in a the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the yeast and let dissolve. Allow the yeast to rest until foamy about 10 minutes.
- Add salt, oil, and 3 cups flour and beat for 2 minutes. Mix in the remaining 2 cups flour. Switch to a dough hook attachment and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turn dough to coat all sides, cover and let rise until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it in half. Shape each half into two long slender loaves. Grease a large cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Place loaves in pan and cut diagonal lines on top of each loaf. Cover and let rise until doubled in size.
- Bake for about 30 minutes. Sprinkle the loaves with water during baking for a really crunchy crust.