Fill your home with the comforting scent of freshly baked Artisan Bread—fluffy, golden crusted, and perfect for sandwiches!
The weather is cooling down as fall fast approaches, so I’ve been in a bread frenzy. When the temperature drops, I find myself enjoying the comfort of a warm kitchen, watching a loaf of artisan bread rise in the oven. There’s something so comforting about making your own loaf from scratch—the whole house ends up smelling like a bakery. It reminds me of my great-grandmother, whose oven was always hot with some special treat for us upon our arrival. This recipe is sure to bring on the nostalgia.
If you’re new to bread-making and feel intimidated, I’ve been there. However, this recipe makes it easy enough for newbies and experts alike. The fluffy, rich dough is a simple blend of classic ingredients—just flour, yeast, salt, sugar, water, and oil. After the dough rises for a couple of hours, place it in your oven. Before you know it, you’ve baked your first loaf to golden brown perfection.
Artisan bread makes delicious sandwiches, from turkey club to grilled cheese. Serve it along with a cup of soup or smear it with butter and nosh for a snack. There’s no wrong way to enjoy a slice or two!
What does “artisan” mean?
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “artisan” refers to either a person who makes handcrafted goods, or a company that produces limited amounts of food using traditional methods. Thus, artisan bread is meant to be cooked by hand and enjoyed in small batches. Each loaf is uniquely crafted from simple, traditional ingredients and offers a rustic appearance (quite different than store-bought). So make sure to savor each bite, and share some slices with your loved ones.
How do I store leftovers?
Once your artisan bread has cooled to room temperature, wrap it in a paper bag or plastic wrap and store it in a cool, dry place for up to 5 days. You can also slice the bread and freeze the slices in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. You’ll never know when you might want a piece of toast in the morning, so you can either pop a slice directly in the toaster or let some slices thaw in the fridge overnight.
Serving suggestions
One of my family’s favorite appetizers or afternoon snacks is a slice of artisan bread with Whipped Butter or Red Pepper Hummus. I’ll also serve it alongside a Leek Soup and some Bread Dipping Oil. But we’ve also enjoyed turning our homemade loaves into Tomato Sandwiches or a Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese for lunch. And then there’s breakfast or brunch, which artisan bread pairs splendidly with—make some Air-Fryer Toast and slather it with some jam. For a fancier take, try Bacon-Avocado Toast, or Vegan Avocado Toast.
Artisan Bread
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour plus extra for dusting
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar optional
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups warm water about 115°F
Instructions
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In a large bowl, whisk together the bread flour, instant yeast, granulated sugar (if using), and salt.
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Pour in the olive oil and warm water, then stir until just combined. The dough will be sticky. If necessary, dust your hands with flour to make it easier to work with.
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Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough sit in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 2 to 3 hours.
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Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface. Using floured hands, shape the dough into a round ball. Sprinkle extra flour if needed to handle the dough.
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Perform a series of stretch and folds: grasp one edge of the dough and fold it over the center, then turn the dough 90° and repeat. Do this about 4 times to help build structure.
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Place the shaped dough on a large piece of parchment paper and cover lightly with plastic wrap. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
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Preheat your oven to 450°F. Place a Dutch oven with its lid inside to heat up thoroughly.
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After the rest, gently transfer the dough (with the parchment paper) into the preheated Dutch oven. Use a sharp knife or bread lame to make a shallow score on top of the dough.
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Cover the Dutch oven and bake for 30 minutes to form a nice crust.
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Remove the lid and continue baking for another 10 minutes until the bread is deeply golden brown. Then, transfer the bread to a wire cooling rack and let it cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition
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