Crusty Bread Golden Crackling (Print)
Rustic artisan loaf with golden crackling crust and airy chewy crumb.
# What You Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
04 - 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
# How To Make It:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and instant yeast. Stir until thoroughly blended.
02 - Add lukewarm water and mix with a spatula or wooden spoon until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
03 - Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let rest at room temperature (70°F) for 12–18 hours until dough is bubbly and doubled in size.
04 - Lightly flour a work surface, turn out the dough, and gently shape into a round ball.
05 - Place dough on parchment paper and cover loosely with a towel. Let rise for 30–45 minutes.
06 - Place a Dutch oven or heavy lidded pot in the oven and preheat to 450°F for at least 30 minutes.
07 - Carefully remove the hot pot from the oven. Lift dough with parchment paper and lower into the pot. Cover with lid.
08 - Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on to create steam.
09 - Remove lid and bake for another 10–15 minutes until crust is deep golden brown.
10 - Remove bread from the pot and cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The secret is doing almost nothing and letting time handle all the heavy lifting
- Your kitchen will smell like an artisan bakery without any fancy equipment or kneading
02 -
- The Dutch oven must be fully preheated for at least 30 minutes or you will not get that dramatic oven spring
- Resist every urge to cut into the bread while it is still hot or the interior will turn gummy and dense
03 -
- Use a kitchen scale if possible because flour measurements vary dramatically by how you scoop
- The parchment paper sling makes transferring the dough safely into the hot pot