World's Easiest Yeast Bread

• Chef’s notes
• Details
• Ingredients
• Directions

§Chef’s notes

This bread recipe is incredibly forgiving, allowing for rise times ranging from 2 hours to 3 days, and can be made without a dutch oven.

§Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 5 minutes
• 🍳 Cook time: 40 minutes
• 🍽️ Servings: 10 – 12 slices

§Ingredients

• 3 cups (450g) flour, bread or plain/all purpose
• 2 tsp instant or rapid rise yeast
• 1 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) very warm tap water
• 1 1/2 tbsp flour, for dusting

§Directions

1. Mix flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl. Add water and mix until all the flour is incorporated.
2. Cover with cling wrap and leave on counter for 2 – 3 hours until it doubles in volume.
3. Preheat oven to 230°C/450°F with the dutch oven inside for 30 minutes.
4. Scrape dough out onto a floured surface and shape it roughly into a round disc.
5. Flip the dough onto parchment paper, seam side down, and reshape it slightly.
6. Remove the hot dutch oven from the oven, place the dough inside, and cover with the lid.
7. Bake for 30 minutes covered, then 12 minutes uncovered until deep golden and crispy.
8. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes before slicing.