Mama D's Italian Bread

This Italian bread recipe is just flour, yeast, sugar, salt and water, in perfect proportion, for a basic, tasty bread to share or freeze for later.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 90 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• cooking spray
• 7 cups all-purpose flour, divided, or as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

Step 2

Add sugar and yeast to the warm water and let proof.

Step 3

Stir in 4 cups flour and beat until smooth. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.

Step 4

Once doubled, punch down and divide into three. Place back in the bowl, cover, and let rise again.

Step 5

Once doubled, punch down and form into three fat "footballs." Grease heavy cookie sheets and sprinkle with cornmeal. Place the bread on the sheets, cover with a towel, and let rise.

Step 6

Beat in salt and then add enough remaining flour to make a stiff dough. Knead until soft and smooth. Turn in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size.

Step 7

Gather all ingredients.

Step 8

Mist loaves with water and place in the preheated oven.

Step 9

Bake until loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom, 25 to 30 minutes. Mist loaves with water and turn occasionally while they bake.