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Easy Artisan Bread Recipe for Perfect Homemade Loaf

This Artisan Bread Recipe delivers the perfect homemade loaf with a golden crust and soft, airy crumb. Simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions make it easy to bake bakery-quality bread in your own kitchen — no kneading machine or special equipment required.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 1 loaf
Course: Bread
Cuisine: European
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups 395 grams all-purpose flour or bread flour
  • ½ tablespoon kosher salt
  • ¼ ounce instant or active dry yeast one packet or 2 ¼ teaspoons
  • 1 ½ cups warm water 105°F
  • Substitutions: Use whole wheat flour for nutty flavor or add 1 tbsp olive oil for extra moisture.

Method
 

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, kosher salt, and yeast until evenly distributed.
  2. Step 2: Pour warm water over the dry ingredients and stir until combined. Dough should be sticky but manageable.
  3. Step 3: Cover bowl with towel or plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 2–10 hours (overnight is best).
  4. Step 4: Wet hands, turn dough onto a floured surface, and fold edges into center to form a round loaf.
  5. Step 5: Place dough on parchment paper, dust with flour, score 1–4 lines, and rest for 20–30 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C) with baking stone, Dutch oven, or iron skillet inside.
  7. Step 7: Transfer dough to hot surface. Add 1 cup hot water or 5 ice cubes to oven for steam, then close quickly.
  8. Step 8: Bake 25–30 minutes until golden brown and crusty.
  9. Step 9: Cool on wire rack for 30 minutes before slicing.
  10. Step 10: Store bread in paper bag to keep crust crisp.

Notes

For best results, use steam during baking for a crisp crust. Avoid overworking the dough to maintain light texture. Always preheat oven and baking surface before baking.