5 from 58 votes
Easy Bread Recipe
This Easy Bread Recipe yields a simple loaf made from all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, and warm water, with an optional cornmeal dusting for texture on the crust. The dough is wet and sticky, requires two rises, and is baked in a greased cast iron skillet with steam added to the oven to develop a crust. The method produces a bread with a chewy crumb and a golden crust.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
22 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs 30 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 2 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
300 kcal
Course:
Bread
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour additional for dusting
- 1 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cup water 125°F, very warm
- 2 teaspoons cornmeal optional
Instructions
- Grease a 10-inch cast iron skillet or pan. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of cornmeal and set aside.
- Whisk flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the warm water and stir to combine. The dough will be very sticky and wet.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 2 hours.
- Sprinkle the top of the dough flour and rub your hands with flour. Turn the dough onto a floured surface (I use parchment paper). The dough will be extremely sticky, sprinkle flour on the underside and gently fold in the sides to create a ball (it'll be delicate and a bit flat).
- Place seam side down in the prepared pan. Dust the top with additional flour if needed and cover with a towel. Let rise 30-90 minutes. *see note
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Score the bread, about 1/8-inch deep 2-3 times.
- Fill a baking dish or small pan with about 2-inches of water and place it on the bottom rack of the oven.
- Add the cast iron pan with the bread to the middle rack of the oven. Bake 24-28 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Nutrition info applies to one quarter of the loaf.
- You may add shredded cheese or herbs to the dry ingredients for added flavor.
- The second rise can be from 30 to 90 minutes; a longer rise increases flavor and chewiness.
- Handle the sticky dough gently to maintain air pockets important for crumb texture.
- Adding water to a pan in the oven creates steam, improving crust quality.
- The dough can be doubled and halved for refrigerated storage up to one week after first rise; chilled dough requires at least 60 minutes for second rise.
Nutrition Information
Calories
300
(15%)
Carbohydrates
62g
(21%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
0.2g
(1%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.3g
(2%)
Monounsaturated Fat
0.3g
(2%)
Sodium
4mg
(0%)
Potassium
123mg
(3%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
0.2g
(0%)
Vitamin C
0.01mg
(0%)
Calcium
13mg
(1%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 300
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 300 | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 62g | 21% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.3g | 2% |
| Sodium | 4mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 123mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 0.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.01mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 13mg | 1% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.