4 Ingredient Artisan Bread

Who doesn't love bread? Especially freshly made, straight from the oven & ready to enjoy! In this post, I will share the simplest way to make your own artisan bread. Your guests will ask for the recipe or even a slice to go!

Here at CCH, we love our bread & we're always going down to the local bakery or Traders Joe's for a loaf. So, I decided to bake my very own! I may never go back to buying a loaf from the bakery. Since I plan my dinners, it's always doable to have fresh bread. Let's get to baking!

4 Ingredients:

1. Bread flour

2. Instant yeast

3. Coarse salt

4. Water

5. Basil (optional)

Tools:

• Non-stick cooking sheet (large)

• Bread proofing baskets

• A cast iron, ceramic, or metal dish

Prep Time:

You can bake your bread after 3-4 hrs that it takes to rise. The dough can last up to three days refrigerated. The longer it is refrigerated, the more flavor it will have once baked.

Mix:

Add flour to your cooking sheet; this will help prevent your dough from not sticking.

3 & 1/4 cups bread flour

2 teaspoons instant yeast

2 teaspoons coarse salt

1 & 1/2 cups water, close to room temperature at about 70°F

2tsp of basil (optional)

*The dough will be a little sticky after it is all mixed, but that is fine.

Create two loaves or one boule. I like to create them before letting the dough rise. At this point, after creating my two loaves, I place each one in its proofing basket.

Cover each one & let rise at room temperature for 2-3 hours. They will double in size. Afterward, you can bake them or place them in the refrigerator covered. You can leave them refrigerated for up to three days, as mentioned above.

Once you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 475°F. Wait to place your dough into the oven until the temperature is reached & water is added; you want to avoid having your dough spread. While your oven is preheating, boil water in a cast iron, ceramic, or metal dish. Once your water is boiling & your oven has reached 475°F, place your dough on the cooking sheet; I add a sprinkle of flour to the sheet. The next step needs to be done quickly to not lose heat while opening your oven & losing the temperature in your water. You are going to place the boiling dish on the bottom rack & immediately place your dough sheet directly above. Shut your oven door. The stem from the boiling dish will help create a crisp crust.

Bake until it is golden brown which would take about 20-25 minutes. Gently tap on each loaf, and you should hear a hollow sound; they're done & ready to come out of the oven.

In CCH style, before we start to enjoy the freshly artisan bread, I had to create an outdoor tablescape, Alfresco! Simple, but all in Country Chic Homes style.

Of course, I am ready to bake my next bread; maybe this time, I will add some rosemary or even some walnuts! Look at me, the baker, lol!

Well, I hope this Summer you have a wonderful season & making a ton of memories. & enjoying your homemade artisan bread.

XO

Ali

* Update 09/13/2023

Today, I added 2tsp of basil to our bread; so delicious! I've added the step above as optional. I was also inspired by my friend Leslie. She is a fantastic blogger & has an inspiring account on Instagram, Lemon Grove Lane. About a week ago, she shared her bread but in the shape of a pumpkin! I know, so cute. I messaged her right away & told her that I would be doing that very soon. So, tonight was lasagna night & well; I got my twine out & right before putting my dough in the oven, I tied my twine, creating the indentions of a pumpkin. I cut half of a cinnamon stick to use as my stalk. Next time, I'll wet the cinnamon stick. As you can see, the tip got a little toasty, LOL! But all in all, so cute!