Here’s an easy recipe for fresh baked bread that my sister makes. This will definitely be on our must have list every year for Thanksgiving!
6 cups flour
1 tsp active dry yeast
1 Tbs salt
1 Tbs honey
2 2/3 cup warm water
Dutch Oven (or metal pot with a tight-fitting lid that can withstand high temp)
1. Combine warm water and honey until dissolved. Add yeast and let it sit for 10 mins.
2. Combine flour & salt in a large mixing bowl.
3. Pour the liquid into the dry mixture and mix well with a spoon. The dough should be wet & sticky. (Add a little more cold water if needed to incorporate all the dry ingredients).
4. Cover with plastic wrap and put the bowl somewhere to rise for 12-18 hours. (I put mine in the empty, cold oven). Dough will double in size & be bubbly on top when it’s ready.
5. With well-floured hands, scrape the dough out of the bowl and form into a well-floured ball. Cover it with a towel and let it rise for another 1-2 hours.
6. Preheat oven to 425 with your Dutch Oven in it preheating the pot.
7. Once the oven is preheated, take the pot out and lightly oil (olive oil) and sprinkle some corn flour on the bottom.
8. Work your loaf into another well-floured ball and put it in the pot. Cut two slits about a 1/2 inch deep in the top.
9. Bake at 425 for 45-50 minutes covered until golden brown & then another 10-15 minutes uncovered until dark brown & crispy.
10. When it’s done, remove the bread from the pot and allow it to cool (it will smell amazing and you will hear it ‘crackle’ while it cools).
Tip: Let it cool before you cut into it, it’s hard to wait but it makes a BIG difference!!
Want to try a whole wheat version?
3 cups whole wheat flour
3 cups white flour
1 tsp active dry yeast
3 tsp molasses
3 tsp honey
1 Tbs salt
2 2/3 cup warm water