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Crusty Loaf
Prep Time: 4 hrs
Cook Time: 45 mins
Yield: 1 Loaf
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!