Italian Bread Using a Bread Machine

For a loaf of crusty Italian bread, try this bread recipe. The dough is made in a bread machine, then the loaves are baked in the oven.

Prep Time: 25 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins

Additional Time: 2 hrs 10 mins

Total Time: 3 hrs 5 mins

Servings: 20

Yield: 2 1-pound loaves

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 20 servings

• 1 ⅓ cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 ½ teaspoons olive oil
• 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons cornmeal
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water

Directions

1. Gather all ingredients.
2. Place 1 1/3 cups warm water, olive oil, flour, brown sugar, salt, and yeast into a bread machine in the order listed, or follow the order recommended by your manufacturer if different. Run the Dough cycle, about 90 minutes.
3. Sprinkle cornmeal onto a cutting board. Punch down dough, turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and form into two loaves.
4. Place loaves, seam-side down, onto the cutting board; cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
6. Beat egg and 1 tablespoon water together in a small bowl; brush over risen loaves.
7. Use a sharp knife to quickly cut one long slash down the center of each loaf.
8. Gently shake the cutting board to make sure the loaves are not sticking; use a spatula or pastry knife to loosen them if necessary. Slide loaves onto a baking sheet with a quick but careful motion.
9. Bake in the preheated oven until loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom, 30 to 35 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)