Easy Rustic Artisan Bread
Author: 
Recipe type: Bread
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 1 Loaf
 
A very easy artisan bread that is crusty on the outside and doughy on the inside.
Ingredients
  • 4-4½ cups flour (See notes)
  • 2 Tablespoons yeast
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar (Or other sweetener)
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 1½ Tablespoons salt
Instructions
  1. Add warm water, sugar and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. Add salt to the flour and turn on your mixer to low. Gradually add flour to your yeast mixture one cup at a time.
  2. Mix dough for 2-3 minutes until it comes together in a ball.
  3. (If you don’t have a stand mixer, mix all the ingredients in a bowl with a fork, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface and need for 4-6 minutes until you have a cohesive and slightly sticky ball of dough.)
  4. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover the top lightly with a damp towel. Let it rise until it doubles in size. The time this takes will depend on the temperature of the room.
  5. Place your Dutch oven inside the oven and preheat to 400 degrees.
  6. When the dough has risen and the oven hits 400 degrees, carefully take out the dutch oven and remove the lid. Sprinkle flour on the top of the dough and take out the ball. Without deflating it too much try to coat the dough with a bit of flour on all sides. Carefully drop the dough in the center of the Dutch oven. Make three quick slices on the top of the bread with a sharp knife. That will give it that artisan top.
  7. Cover and cook for 30 minutes. Then take off the lid and cook for another 7-10 minutes, until the top is golden and crunchy looking.
  8. Remove the Dutch oven from the oven and careful dump the loaf onto a cutting board. Let cool about 10-15 minutes.
  9. Slice and serve warm with flavored dipping oil or fresh butter. Serve with wine and cheese.
  10. Note: Want your bread to have more flavor? Put the dough in the fridge for a couple of hours after it has risen. Then take it out and let it warm up to room temperate. (About an hour)
  11. This recipe works fine with all-purpose flour, but if you want to get creative, you can substitute up to one cup of whole wheat flour for the white flour. You may need to adjust the water slightly. You can also use bread flour for this recipe.
Recipe by Purely Wholesome Farm at https://purelywholesome.com/easy-rustic-artisan-bread/