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Italian Bread

Val Goodrich – Taste of Home
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Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package 1/4 ounce active dry yeast
  • 2 cups warm water 110° to 115°
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in remaining flour to form a soft dough.
  2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  3. Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shape into two 12-in.-long loaves; taper ends. Place each loaf seam side down on parchment-lined baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
  4. Preheat oven to 450°. Sprinkle loaves with additional flour. With a sharp knife, make three 1/2-in. deep slashes across top of each loaf. Bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.