Description
Easy Homemade Rustic Bread is wonderfully simple to make, with a crisp golden crust and a soft, tender centre. Made with everyday ingredients, this homemade loaf is perfect with soups, salads, pasta or warm with butter.
Ingredients
For the Bread:
3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp instant yeast
1 1/2 cups (360 ml) warm water
1 tsp honey or sugar
1 tbsp olive oil, optional
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt and instant yeast. Stir the honey into the warm water, then pour it into the flour mixture. If using olive oil, add it with the water. Mix with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Leave the dough at room temperature for 1–2 hours, or until it has noticeably risen.
Lightly flour your work surface. Turn the dough out onto the surface and gently shape it into a round loaf. Avoid overworking the dough so it keeps some of the air developed during the rise.
Place the shaped dough on parchment paper and transfer it to a baking dish or oven-safe pot. Cover and let it rest for another 20–30 minutes while the oven preheats.
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
Bake the loaf for 30–35 minutes, until the top is deeply golden and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
Transfer the freshly baked bread to a wire rack and allow it to cool for at least 20–30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
The dough should remain slightly sticky, so avoid adding too much extra flour when shaping it.
Gentle handling helps keep the loaf light while maintaining its rustic texture.
Allow the bread to cool before cutting so the soft interior has time to set.
Serve with butter, olive oil or your favourite spread.
The bread is also suitable for soups, salads, pasta dishes, sandwiches and toast.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Bread
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American