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Grandma's Italian Bread Recipe

Grandma’s Italian Bread Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 108 reviews
  • Author: Mia
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 28 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours 33 minutes
  • Yield: 2 loaves
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Delight in the rustic flavors of traditional Italian bread with this recipe straight from Grandma’s kitchen. This simple yet rewarding recipe yields two loaves of crusty, homemade bread that will transport you to the cobblestone streets of Italy.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Dry Yeast Mixture:

  • 2 1/4 teaspoons dry yeast
  • 3 1/2 cups warm water

Bread Dough:

  • 8 cups all-purpose flour divided
  • 1 tablespoon shortening
  • 3 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 cup of hot water for baking

Instructions

  1. Prepare Yeast Mixture: In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in the 3 1/2 cups warm water.
  2. Mix Dough: Add 3 cups flour, shortening, salt, and sugar. Beat with an electric mixer and gradually add remaining flour until a sticky dough forms.
  3. Knead Dough: Turn out onto a floured surface, knead for 7 minutes, adding minimal flour to prevent sticking.
  4. Rise Dough: Let dough rest, rise for 2 hours, then shape into loaves.
  5. Bake: Preheat oven, place loaves on a pizza stone, score the tops, and bake until golden brown.

Notes

  • This recipe yields two loaves.
  • You can substitute dry yeast with 1 package.
  • For rising, preheat the oven, then turn it off before placing the dough to rise.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (estimated)
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 1g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg