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4.5 from 51 votes

Easy Dutch Oven Bread

Easy Dutch Oven Bread ~ this simple white bread recipe is perfect for beginning bread bakers, or experienced cooks who crave a quick delicious loaf

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Rising time
2 hrs 45 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 40 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 182 kcal
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour (562 grams)
  • 1 Tbsp sugar (11 grams)
  • 2 1/2 tsp salt (feel free to reduce this to 1 or 1 1/2 if you are watching salt intake)
  • 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast, or 2 3/4 tsp dry active yeast
  • 1 2/3 cup lukewarm water (379 grams)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a mixing bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer, mix all the ingredients together.
  2. Knead by hand, or in your mixer with a dough hook, for 6-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and stretchy.
  3. Rub a little oil in a bowl and add the dough, cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 1-2 hours. The dough should roughly double in size.
  4. Gently turn your dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a large round loaf.
  5. Line your Dutch oven (or baking sheet, if using) with parchment paper. Place your dough inside.
  6. Cover again with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for about 45 minutes. It won't rise as dramatically this time, but should look puffed up.
  7. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 450F.
  8. When the dough is done rising, use a sharp knife to slash it across the top. Slashing, or scoring, is done to allow the bread to expand and to control the way it rises. If you don't slash the dough it can become misshapen as it bakes.
  9. Place the lid on top of your Dutch oven and place in the oven.
  10. Bake for about 45 minutes. Remove the lid for the last 15 minutes or so of baking. The bread should be golden brown.
  11. Allow your bread to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • You can pre-heat your Dutch oven in the oven before placing your risen bread dough inside, which some think helps it rise even better.  
  • If you don't have parchment paper, lightly oil your pan and coat with cornmeal to prevent sticking.
  • This bread makes great sandwiches, just let it cool completely before slicing with a sharp serrated bread knife.
  • Recipe from King Arthur Flour.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1slice Calories 182kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 38g (13%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Sodium 487mg (20%) Potassium 72mg (2%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 8mg (1%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 182

% Daily Value*

Serving 1slice
Calories 182kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 38g 13%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 487mg 20%
Potassium 72mg 2%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.