The Most Famous Italian Bread Recipe: Crusty, Homemade Joy

Italian bread weaves a rich tapestry of culinary tradition through its rustic, hearty essence.

Simple ingredients reinvent into something magical when skilled hands knead and shape the dough.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this timeless craft, passing down techniques that speak of love and heritage.

Golden crusts and soft interiors represent more than just sustenance—they embody cultural connection and familial warmth.

Regional variations highlight the incredible diversity within this beloved staple, each loaf telling a unique story of local ingredients and techniques.

Authentic preparation requires patience, understanding the delicate balance between technique and intuition.

Flour, water, and passion merge to create something extraordinary that transcends mere sustenance.

What Works Well with Italian Bread at Any Meal

• Savor Classic Italian Wine Pairing: Complement the rich, rustic bread with a glass of Chianti or Sangiovese, whose robust red fruit notes and moderate tannins enhance the bread's hearty texture.
• Elevate with Gourmet Olive Oil Dip: Create a luxurious appetizer by mixing extra virgin olive oil with balsamic vinegar, crushed red pepper flakes, and fresh herbs for a vibrant dipping experience that highlights the bread's authentic Italian roots.
• Match with Creamy Cheese Companions: Serve alongside soft, creamy cheeses like burrata or fresh ricotta, allowing the bread's crisp crust and soft interior to perfectly contrast with the smooth, delicate cheese flavors.
• Craft a Mediterranean Mezze Plate: Build a colorful spread featuring the bread, accompanied by marinated olives, roasted red peppers, cured meats like prosciutto, and a variety of Mediterranean small bites that showcase the bread's versatility.

Italian Bread Variations You’ll Want to Bake Again

• Herbal Infusion Loaf: Incorporate fresh rosemary, thyme, or basil into the dough during mixing for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired bread that bursts with herbaceous flavors.
• Whole Wheat Rustic Version: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier, more nutritious bread with a slightly nutty undertone and denser texture.
• Cheese-Stuffed Variation: Sprinkle grated parmesan or scattered chunks of mozzarella between dough layers before final shaping, creating pockets of melted cheese throughout the bread.
• Olive and Sun-Dried Tomato Bread: Fold chopped kalamata olives and diced sun-dried tomatoes into the dough during the mixing stage, adding a rich, tangy Mediterranean character to the classic recipe.

Why Famous Italian Bread Is Worth Baking from Scratch

• Savor Authentic Italian Flavor: Enjoy a rich, traditional taste that transports you straight to an Italian bakery with every warm, crusty bite.
• Master Beginner-Friendly Technique: This recipe offers a straightforward method perfect for home bakers, with simple steps that guarantee success even for those new to bread making.
• Create Versatile Bread Perfection: Craft a loaf that's wonderfully adaptable- serve as a side, use for sandwiches, or enjoy with olive oil and herbs for a delightful snack that suits any meal.
• Experience Homemade Comfort: Feel the joy of baking fresh bread from scratch, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that brings family together.

What Goes Into That Traditional Italian Bread Taste

• Whole Milk: Soft, rich liquid that helps activate yeast and adds tenderness to bread.
• Hot Water: Essential for activating yeast and creating perfect dough consistency.
• Olive Oil: Provides moisture, richness, and helps create a soft bread texture with smooth crust.

• Active Dry Yeast: Crucial for bread rising, responsible for creating light and airy texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds yeast, helps with fermentation and golden bread coloration.

• All-Purpose Flour: Core ingredient for bread structure, provides texture and volume.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall bread flavor and controls yeast activity.
• Sesame Seeds: Optional topping that adds nutty crunch and traditional Italian bread appearance.

How to Get That Crusty Outside and Soft Inside

Step 1: Prepare Yeast Activation

• Warm milk in a small saucepan or microwave
• Pour warm milk into stand mixer bowl
• Add active dry yeast and sugar
• Stir and let sit until foamy

Step 2: Create Dough Foundation

• Hot water
• Olive oil
• Sugar
• Kosher salt
• All-purpose flour

Combine ingredients in mixer using dough hook

• Start on low speed
• Gradually add flour
• Mix until soft, sticky dough forms

Step 3: Allow First Rise

• Coat large bowl with olive oil
• Transfer dough to bowl
• Cover with plastic wrap
• Let rise in warm space until doubled
• Line baking sheets with parchment paper

Step 4: Shape Bread Loaves

• Transfer dough to floured surface
• Divide dough into two portions
• Stretch each half into rectangle
• Choose shape: oval or round
• Fold and roll dough carefully

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

• Place loaves on baking sheets
• Optional: Brush with water
• Sprinkle sesame seeds
• Create diagonal slashes on top
• Cover with clean dish towel
• Let rise for additional time

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

• Preheat oven to 400°F
• Position two oven racks
• Bake loaves for 15 minutes
• Rotate baking sheets
• Continue baking until golden brown
• Check doneness by tapping bottom of loaf
• Cool before slicing

Tips to Master the Art of Italian Bread

• Control Yeast Activation: Ensure milk temperature is precisely between 105-115℉ for perfect yeast blooming, which guarantees soft, airy bread texture.
• Knead with Patience: Mix dough gradually and allow proper gluten development by kneading slowly, preventing tough or dense bread consistency.
• Manage Dough Moisture: Add flour incrementally to achieve sticky but manageable dough, adjusting texture without making it too dry or stiff.
• Create Proofing Environment: Find a warm, draft-free spot like near a preheating oven or inside a turned-off oven with light on to help dough rise evenly.
• Master Scoring Technique: Use a sharp serrated knife or professional bread lame to make clean, diagonal cuts that allow bread to expand beautifully during baking, creating attractive crust patterns.

How to Keep Italian Bread Fresh and Crunchy

• Refrigeration: Store leftover bread in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag to maintain freshness for 3-4 days. Wrap the loaf tightly to prevent moisture loss and keep it from drying out.
• Freezing: Slice the bread before freezing for easier portioning. Wrap individual slices or whole loaves in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months for best quality.
• Reheating: Revive cold bread by wrapping in aluminum foil and warming in a 350℉ oven for 10-15 minutes. For a crispy crust, unwrap the foil during the last 3-5 minutes of heating. Microwaving is not recommended as it can make the bread tough and chewy.

Famous Italian Bread Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Focaccia from Italy brings rustic charm to your kitchen with its herbal aroma and olive oil-kissed crust. Pillowy texture and golden surface invite diners to savor Mediterranean comfort in each delightful bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups hot water
• ½ cup whole milk
• ¼ cup olive oil

Yeast and Sugar:

• 2 (¼-ounce) packets active dry yeast
• ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Seasoning and Optional Topping:

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 4 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Gently warm milk in a small saucepan or microwave until it reaches a comfortable temperature, ensuring it’s not too hot to kill the yeast.
2. Pour the warmed milk into a mixing bowl and sprinkle active dry yeast and a pinch of sugar. Allow the mixture to become frothy and activate, which signals the yeast is alive and ready.
3. Heat water to a steamy temperature, being careful not to bring it to a boil. Combine the hot water with olive oil, remaining sugar, and salt in the mixing bowl.
4. Gradually incorporate flour into the liquid mixture using a dough hook, mixing until a cohesive, slightly rough dough forms. Continue kneading until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Transfer the dough to an oil-coated bowl, ensuring the surface is completely covered. Cover with a clean cloth and let it rest in a warm environment until it expands to nearly double its original size.
6. Prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper and dusting lightly with flour. Gently deflate the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions.
7. On a floured surface, shape each dough portion into either a long oval or a round loaf. For an oval, fold and roll; for a round, gather the corners toward the center.
8. Place the shaped loaves on prepared baking sheets. If desired, brush with water and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Create diagonal slashes across the top of each loaf to allow expansion during baking.
9. Allow the loaves to rise again, covering them with a clean towel. They should look slightly puffy and increased in volume.
10. Preheat the oven and position racks to ensure even heating. Bake the loaves, rotating midway through to achieve a uniform golden-brown crust.
11. Test the bread’s doneness by tapping the bottom – it should sound hollow. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing to preserve the internal texture.

Notes

• Crafting this bread demands patience and precision, transforming simple ingredients into a rustic Italian masterpiece.
• Professional bakers know the secret lies in understanding yeast’s delicate activation and the importance of gentle kneading.
• Temperature control is crucial – warm milk awakens yeast, while precise oven heat creates that perfect golden-brown crust.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 3.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 1 mg