This Crusty Loaf is going to be a delight to your taste buds. The outside is expected to be golden brown and crusty, while the inside remains soft and fluffy. The experience of slicing into the warm loaf, spreading some butter and your favorite jam on it, and taking that first bite is going to be absolutely heavenly.
Ingredients
- 1 1⁄2 cups water, 110 degrees F
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons non-iodized salt
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and honey. Stir gently and let sit for a few minutes until the yeast becomes foamy.
- Add the flour and salt, mixing until a wet dough ball forms. Cover and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and perform six stretch-and-folds (see Recipe Video below for technique). Cover and let rest for another 30 minutes. Repeat the stretch-and-fold process, then cover and allow the dough to rise for 3 hours.
- To shape the dough, gently transfer it onto a well-floured surface. Stretch it into a flat disc, being careful not to flour the top. Fold the bottom third of the dough up, then fold the top third down, like folding a letter. Starting from the short end, roll the dough up and pinch the seams together to form a smooth ball.
- Line a bowl with parchment paper, leaving excess paper over the edges. Lightly flour the parchment. Place the dough ball into the prepared bowl, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a Dutch oven with its lid on inside the oven to preheat.
- Once preheated, carefully remove the Dutch oven lid. Using the parchment paper as handles, transfer the dough into the Dutch oven. Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until golden brown.
- Using the parchment paper, lift the bread out and transfer it to a cooling rack.
- Let cool for at least 1 hour before slicing. Enjoy with butter and your favorite jam!
