Amazing Dutch Oven Crusty Bread

There's nothing better than warm crusty bread right out of the oven a cold winter  afternoon.

This bread is amazing. It has a nice crispy crust, and is soft and chewy when you bite into it.  Great served with butter and on the side with meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Or any hearty dinner. It's also the perfect bread for dipping in seasoned olive oil.

It's very easy to make, and I love that you bake it right in your Dutch Oven.

 

Amazing Dutch Oven Crusty Bread

This recipe is adapted from Just Another Day in Paradise. I made a few minor changes to her recipe by adding more flour, less salt, and increased rising time.

Ingredients:
4 1/2 - 5 cups all purpose flour (can use bread flour)
2 Tablespoons yeast
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 cups warm water
1 Tablespoons salt

Directions:
1. In a standing mixer bowl, combine the yeast and sugar. Then pour 2 cups of warm water over it. Whisk lightly and allow it to proof by letting it rests for 10 minutes or until it is foamy.
2. In a separate bowl mix 3 cups of the flour with the salt.
3. Add the flour mixture one cup at a time to the yeast mixture in the stand mixer attached with the dough hook. The dough will start to come together, but will be sticky. Add in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time until the dough comes completely together. It still may be a bit sticky at this point.
4. Remove the dough from the mixing bowl and place on a well floured counter.  Knead the dough for approximately five minutes, or until the dough is smooth. You may need to add extra flour while needing. The dough should be smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover the top  Let the dough rise for 30-60 minutes in warm place.
6. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees with the Dutch oven inside. Remove the dough from the bowl. DO NOT punch down the dough. Lightly coat both the bottom and the top of the loaf with flour. Remove the Dutch oven from the oven and gently place the dough in the center of the Dutch oven. Cut 2 or 3 slits in the top of the loaf.
7. Cook for 30 minutes covered. Then take off the lid and cook for another 7-10 minutes, until the top is golden and crunchy looking.

If you don't have a dutch oven, you can purchase one here.

Enjoy!