Ingredients

  • 3 tsp of active dry yeast
  • 3 tbsp of honey or brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup of milk
  • 4 tbsp (1/2 stick) of melted butter
  • 3 cups of flour
  • 2 tsp of salt
  • 1+1/4 cup of water, better if bottled

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven and let it cool down until it is warm, around 85°F.
  2. Reheat milk and add honey or sugar in a large bowl.
  3. Add thee yeast and mix, let rise for 10 minutes or until bubbles form on the surface
  4. Add flour, butter and salt.
  5. Add water bit by bit while mixing with a wooden spoon. Keep mixing until everything comes together, it should not stick to the bowl.
  6. Cover the bowl with a damp towel, leave a small hole for breathing. Let rise for 2 hours in the oven at 85°F, or until it has doubled in volume.
  7. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  8. Knead for a few minutes until smooth, form 2 to 4 dough balls.
  9. Massage the loaves with olive oil and put them on a baking tray with aluminium foil.
  10. Make 2 or 3 deep slashes on the top of each loaf, and sprinkle with flour.
  11. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown at 400°F.
  12. Stop the oven, open the door and keep the bread inside for 5 more minutes. Then remove the loaves and let them cool down.

To try next time

  • Boil three cups of water and put it in a roasting pan under the loaves when baking
  • Bake longer (20 mins ?) or higher (450°F?)
  • Grease the loaves before rising.