Easy Crusty Bread

Have you ever tried to make crusty bread in your oven? Pretty much impossible right? That's what I thought too. Until tonight. I've been tweaking this recipe for a while now and I believe I have it perfected. It is chewy on the inside and crusty on the outside. AND!! It only takes 1 1/2 hours to make. Fresh, homemade, YEAST bread in an hour and half!?

UNHEARD OF!! At least by me. Until now. So, here is the recipe:

In a large bowl (I use my Kitchen Aid) mix:

2 cups very hot water

2 T honey

1 T salt

1/3 cup oil


In a small bowl mix:

½ c warm water

2 T honey

2 T + 1 t yeast

Pre-heat the oven to 500* (if going for crusty) or 350* (if you just want regular soft bread)  Both ways are GREAT.  The regular way is easier just FYI.  And, yes, I know 500* is hot, but it won't burn it, I promise.   Add 3 cups flour to large bowl (or your Kitchen Aid) and mix well. Add the small bowl and 3 to 4 more cups flour. Mix until smooth and you have a cohesive ball of dough. Leave the dough in the Kitchen Aid (if you are using one) and mix every 10 minutes for 1 hour or knead every 10 minutes for 1 hour. Divide and shape into loaves, rolls, cinnamon rolls... (Whatever you're in the mood for) and put it in the oven; you don't need to let it rise again!  See I told you this was easy and fast!

To make it crusty:  Before you put the bread in the oven turn it down to 350*. Put your dough in, then using a spray bottle filled with water, spray into the oven every 20-30 seconds for the first 5 minutes and then every few minutes throught out the 30 minute baking time. The steam created will give the bread an awesome crust. I promise. It works!

To make it regular:  Bake at 350* for 20-30 minutes depending on your oven and the size of your loaves.  ie) if you make rolls (which p.s. this recipe make really good rolls) your baking time will be closer to 20.  If you make one big loaf, it will be closer to 30.  You get the idea.

Happy Baking! :)

I'm linkin' up!