Ciabatta Bread

This is a bread machine version of the Italian classic which still bakes in your oven. This bread has the crisp crust and coarse crumb one expects from ciabatta.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 73 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 3 ¼ cups bread flour
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ½ teaspoons bread machine yeast

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Step 2

Place ingredients into the pan of the bread machine in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Select the Dough cycle, and Start. (See Editor's Note for stand mixer instructions.)

Step 3

Dough will be quite sticky and wet once cycle is completed; resist the temptation to add more flour. Place dough on a generously floured board, cover with a large bowl or greased plastic wrap, and let rest for 15 minutes.

Step 4

Lightly flour baking sheets or line them with parchment paper. Using a serrated knife, divide dough into 2 pieces, and form each into a 3x14-inch oval. Place loaves on prepared sheets and dust lightly with flour. Cover, and let rise in a draft-free place for approximately 45 minutes.

Step 5

Spritz loaves with water. Place loaves in the oven, positioned on the middle rack. Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.