Crusty Homemade Bread Recipe--DELICIOUS

By constanceschweiss

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 teaspoons Red Star® Platinum Superior Baking Yeast™
• 1-Cup Milk
• 3/4 cups warm water (70° to 75°)
• 3-1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal or additional flour
• Follow directions below OR put all in bread machine, turns out great in bread machine too.

Details

Servings 16
Preparation time 20mins
Cooking time 70mins
Adapted from tasteofhome.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. In a large bowl, mix 3-1/2 cups flour and salt. Using a rubber spatula, stir in yeast mixture to form a soft, sticky dough. Do not knead. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise at room temperature 1 hour.

Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; pat into a 9-in. square. Fold square into thirds, forming a 9x3-in. rectangle. Fold rectangle into thirds, forming a 3-in. square. Turn dough over; place in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise at room temperature until almost doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch down dough and repeat folding process. Return dough to bowl; refrigerate, covered, overnight.

Dust bottom of a disposable foil roasting pan with cornmeal. Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead gently 6-8 times; shape into a 6-in. round loaf. Place in prepared pan; dust top with remaining 1 tablespoon flour. Cover pan with plastic wrap; let rise at room temperature until dough expands to a 7-1/2-in.-loaf, about 1-1/4 hours.

Preheat oven to 500°. Using a sharp knife, make a slash (1/4 inch deep) across top of loaf. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake on lowest oven rack 25 minutes.

Reduce oven setting to 450°. Remove foil; bake bread 25-30 minutes longer or until deep golden brown. Remove loaf to a wire rack to cool.
Yield: 1 loaf (16 slices).