🇮🇹 Homemade Italian Artisan Bread

⏱️ Time

• 5 minutes prep

• 8–12 hours rise time (overnight magic!)

• 30–40 minutes baking

🍞 Instructions:

1. Mix the Dough (5 minutes flat)
   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast.
   Pour in the lukewarm water and stir with a spoon until a sticky, shaggy dough forms. No kneading needed!

2. Let It Rise (overnight or all day)
   Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
   Leave it to rise at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours — until bubbly and doubled in size.

3. Shape the Dough
   Lightly flour your work surface. Turn out the dough and fold it gently a couple of times to form a round loaf.
   Place the dough onto a floured parchment sheet, cover, and let it rest for 30–60 minutes while your oven heats.

4. Preheat the Oven
   Place a Dutch oven or heavy lidded pot inside and preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).

5. Bake That Beauty

   • Carefully transfer your dough (still on parchment) into the hot pot.

   • Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.

   • Remove the lid and bake another 10–15 minutes until the crust is golden and crackly.

6. Cool & Slice
   Let the bread cool on a rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing (if you can wait!).

🍅 Pro Tips:

• Want that rustic, flour-dusted look? Sprinkle a little flour on top before baking.

• Add chopped rosemary, olives, or sun-dried tomatoes to the dough for an Italian twist.

• No Dutch oven? Bake it on a preheated baking stone or tray with a pan of water in the oven to create steam.

This bread is crunchy outside, airy inside, and honestly tastes like it came straight out of a tiny bakery in Tuscany. 😍

Wanna pair it with a dipping oil, soup, or even turn it into bruschetta? Let me know—I’ve got ideas!