The Perfect Crusty Bread Recipe (Made in a Dutch Oven)
This Crusty Bread Recipe will give you the most delicious homemade bread made in a dutch oven that has a chewy crust, but a soft and delicious interior.
Next, sift the flour into the stand mixer bowl, add salt, and pour in the yeast mixture. Using the mixer's dough hook attachment knead the dough for a couple of minutes until the liquid combines well with some flour.
Then scrape down the sides and bottom of the mixer bowl with a silicone spatula to mix in all of the flour.
Continue kneading for 5 more minutes or until all the flour is incorporated. The dough will be very sticky (this is why a silicone spatula is a lifesaver).
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer it into another large bowl and then cover it. Puncture 3 holes for the dough to breathe, and let it sit at room temperature on the countertop for 12 to 15 hours to rise.
What to do to Make Crusty Bread Recipe on Day 2
Start by preheating the oven to 450 F. (235 C).
Use a silicone spatula to scrape down the dough off the sides and bottom of the bowl.
Transfer the dough onto a well-floured surface with the help of the spatula and shape it into a sphere. When shaping the dough, make sure to fold it over on itself several times until it feels tight and starts to resist folding.
How to Bake Crusty Bread
Sprinkle some flour on the bottom of your cast iron (mine is a 5 quart).
Transfer the dough into the pot.
Cover the cast iron pot with the lid and bake it in the oven on the middle rack for 30 minutes. Remove the lid from the pan and bake the bread for an additional 15 minutes.
Remove the bread from the oven and let the bread sit in the Dutch oven for 15 minutes.