Homemade Italian Style White Bread
📜 Collection: UK2 | ✍️ Attribution: Unknown | 📂 Category: Bread A classic recipe for two loaves of homemade Italian-style white bread with a soft interior and crusty exterior. Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or dinner accompaniments.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Inactive / Chill Time | Yield / Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 mins | 30 mins | 1 hour 30 mins | 2 loaves |
🔪 Key Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Floured board
- Greased bowl
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Pkgs | Yeast | active dry |
| 2 1/2 Cups | Water | lukewarm |
| 2 TBLS | Honey | none |
| 1 TBLS | Salt | none |
| 2 TBLS | Shortening | melted, or salad oil |
| 7 to 8 Cups | Flour | all-purpose, divided |
Instructions
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
- In a large mixing bowl, sprinkle the 2 pkgs yeast over the 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water.
Step 2: Mix the Base
- Add the 2 tbls honey and let stand for 5 minutes until the yeast is foamy and mixed until dissolved.
- Add the 1 tbls salt, 2 tbls shortening, and 3 cups flour.
Step 3: Knead the Dough
- Mix thoroughly with an electric mixer on low speed, then switch to a dough hook or a sturdy spoon and mix in 3 more cups flour until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a well-floured board and knead for about 5-8 minutes, adding more flour as necessary, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Step 4: First Rise
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning it over once to grease the top.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Step 5: Shape the Loaves
- Punch the dough down and divide it in half.
- Shape each half into a long Italian-style loaf by patting the dough into a rectangle, rolling it up tightly from the long edge, and pinching the seam to seal.
Step 6: Second Rise
- Place the loaves on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal.
- Cover and let them rise again for about 30-45 minutes until nearly doubled.
Step 7: Bake
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Optional: Just before baking, brush the loaves with a beaten egg for a shiny crust and cut a few diagonal slashes across the top with a sharp knife.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: Store fully baked loaves in a paper bag or bread box at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze sliced bread for up to 3 months.
Original Recipe Scan
