Kittencal's Italian Style Bread

Discover the essence of homemade comfort with Kittencal's Italian Style Bread, a foolproof recipe that brings the authentic taste of Italian bakeries right to your kitchen. With a tender crumb, a beautifully golden crust, and the subtle aroma of olive oil, this bread is perfect for everything from hearty sandwiches to elegant antipasto platters. Crafted with simple pantry staples like bread flour, active dry yeast, and a touch of sugar, this recipe combines ease and tradition with its two-rise technique for a perfectly airy texture. A light dusting of cornmeal adds rustic charm, while the egg wash gives the loaf a bakery-style shine. Ready in just under two hours, this recipe proves that artisanal bread can be a home-baked reality. Serve it warm with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping, or alongside your favorite Italian dishes for an unforgettable meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups warm water
• 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 4 cups bread flour
• 2 tablespoons cornmeal (for dusting)
• 1 whole egg white
• 1 tablespoon cold water

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is activated.

Step 2

Stir in the olive oil and salt. Gradually add the bread flour, one cup at a time, mixing until the dough comes together.

Step 3

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 4

Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it once to coat all sides. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 5

Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf or two smaller baguette-style loaves. Place the loaf/loaves on a baking sheet lightly dusted with cornmeal.

Step 6

Cover the loaf/loaves with a clean towel and let rise again for 30-40 minutes, or until puffy.

Step 7

While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 8

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and cold water. Gently brush this mixture over the top of the loaf/loaves to achieve a shiny crust.

Step 9

Using a sharp knife, make a few slashes across the top of the bread to allow steam to escape during baking.

Step 10

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(980.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2215.6

Total Fat 36.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3609.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 408.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.5g	0%
Total Sugars 14.2g
Protein 67.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 81.8mg	0%
Iron 22.8mg	0%
Potassium 728.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 14.7%

Protein: 12.1%

Carbs: 73.1%