Crusty Dutch Oven Bread

I used to think homemade bread had to take all day but this Crusty Dutch Oven Bread recipe proves otherwise. You can have a delicious, homemade loaf of bread ready in just a few hours from start to finish with little hands on time. Serve with delicious Irish butter and some simple jam. Nothing is better!

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Crusty Dutch Oven Bread

Total Time2 hours hrs

Course: Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup Warm water
• 1 tbsp Honey
• 2 tsp Dry yeast
• 3 cup Einkorn flour (see note for all purpose)
• 2 tsp Salt

Instructions

• In a bowl, add 1 1/4 cup Warm water and 1 tbsp Honey. Mix well. Then add in 2 tsp Dry yeast. Allow to bloom for 10 minutes (until yeast looks puffy)
• Then add in 3 cup Einkorn flour and 2 tsp Salt
• Mix for just a few seconds until all ingredients are incorporated. If you need to, knead of the counter to incorporate just a few times but no need to knead the dough for a long time.
• Cover and let set for an hour to an hour and a half until dough has doubled in size
• Cut a circle of parchment paper out that will fit in the bottom of your cast iron.
• Once doubled, punch down and place dough on the counter (flour lightly if needed)
• Stretch out the corners of the dough and fold into the middle until a tight ball in formed. Shape into a ball with your hands, and place on the circle of parchment on the counter and cover with a towel for 30 minutes.
• While waiting for the dough, turn oven to 425 and preheat with the Dutch oven in to preheat.
• Once oven is heated and 30 minutes have past, remove the towel and grab the circle of parchment paper gently and place in the bottom of the preheat Dutch oven. Score with a sharp knife down the middle of the dough to release the steam as it bakes. Do not deflate, just score enough to slice through a little bit. 
• Bake with lid on for 20 minutes, then remove lid for remaining 10-15 minutes until bread is golden brown and crispy.
• Remove from oven, cool on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes.
• Slice and enjoy!

Notes

Storage

• Store in ziploc bag for up to 3 days at room temperature. Can also freeze loaf fully baked, do not cut it if you are going to freeze. Thaw on counter overnight

All purpose flour

• Use 2 1/2 c all purpose flour if desired instead of einkorn