Ingredients
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp instant or dry yeast
- 1½ cups warm water
(Optional: 1 tsp sugar or honey for better browning)
Instructions
- Mix
- In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and yeast.
- Add warm water and stir until a sticky dough forms.
- Cover and rest 12–18 hours at room temperature.
- Shape
- Turn dough onto a floured surface.
- Fold a few times into a round shape.
- Let rest 30 minutes while oven heats.
- Preheat
- Place Dutch oven (with lid) into oven.
- Heat to 230°C / 450°F for 30 minutes.
- Bake
- Carefully place dough into hot pot.
- Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes.
- Remove lid and bake 10–15 minutes until deep golden.
- Cool
- Remove bread and cool at least 30 minutes before slicing.
 Tips for That Perfect Crust
- Use steam (the lid traps moisture)
- Don’t skip the long rest — it creates air holes
- Flour the top lightly before baking for a rustic look