Iconic Italian Bread Recipe: Homemade Rustic Delight

Warm, golden-brown focaccia with rosemary salt carries the soul of Italian countryside kitchens.

Bakers across tuscany have perfected this simple yet remarkable bread for generations.

Each crisp bite tells a story of tradition and passion.

The delicate crust crackles with fragrant herbs and olive oil, promising a sensory journey through Italian culinary landscapes.

Generations of home cooks have cherished this recipe, passing down techniques that capture the essence of rustic comfort.

You’ll fall in love with how effortlessly these ingredients come together.

Let this focaccia transport you straight to a sun-drenched Italian terrace, where bread is more than food—it’s an art form.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 13

Famous Italian Bread Must-Haves at a Glance

• Whole Milk: Provides rich, smooth texture and helps activate yeast for soft bread.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential living organism that makes bread rise and creates delightful aroma.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds yeast and helps with golden brown crust development.
• Hot Water: Assists in creating perfect yeast environment and helping dough consistency.

• Olive Oil: Adds moisture, luxurious taste, and helps create tender bread crumb.
• Kosher Salt: Balances flavors and strengthens gluten structure in dough.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates sturdy bread structure with perfect chewy consistency.
• Sesame Seeds: Optional topping that provides nutty crunch and elegant visual appeal.

Tools for Authentic Italian Bread Results

• Stand Mixer: Essential for mixing and kneading the dough with minimal effort.
• Dough Hook: Specific mixer attachment for perfectly developing bread dough.
• Saucepan: Small pot for gently warming milk.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for first dough rise and coating with olive oil.
• Baking Sheets: Two large rimmed sheets for shaping and baking bread loaves.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents bread from sticking and helps even baking.
• Serrated Knife or Lame: Perfect for making precise slashes on bread surface.
• Clean Dish Towel: Covers loaves during second rise to prevent drying.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Kitchen Scale (optional): Helps ensure precise flour measurements.

Italian Bread Instructions for Home Bakers

Bread Making Adventure

• Milk Preparation

Gently warm milk in a small pot or microwave until it feels comfortably warm.

• Yeast Awakening

Pour warm milk into a mixing bowl and sprinkle yeast on top. Let the mixture sit and become bubbly and alive.

• Dough Creation

Mix hot water, olive oil, sugar, and salt together. Gradually add flour while stirring, creating a soft and slightly sticky texture. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.

• First Resting Period

Place dough in an oiled bowl and cover. Let it relax and grow in a cozy spot until it doubles in size, about an hour.

• Shaping

Gently stretch the dough onto a floured surface. Divide into two portions and shape into long or round loaves. Create beautiful diagonal slashes across the top for that classic bread look.

• Second Resting Period

Allow shaped loaves to rest and expand slightly, about 30 minutes. This helps develop deeper flavors and texture.

• Baking Magic

Slide loaves into a preheated oven. Bake until the crust turns a rich golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped. Let cool before slicing and enjoying your homemade masterpiece.

Ideas to Customize Your Italian Loaf

• Bread Baking Brilliance: Master the art of creating perfect Italian bread with these expert tips and delightful variations.
• Flour Power: Experiment with different flour types like bread flour or whole wheat for unique texture and deeper flavor profiles.
• Seed Sensation: Sprinkle various seeds like poppy, sunflower, or caraway on top for added crunch and exciting taste dimensions.
• Herb Harmony: Knead fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil directly into the dough for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired twist.
• Savory Cheese Swirl: Fold in grated parmesan, pecorino, or sharp cheddar during the shaping process to create a cheesy bread adventure.

How to Serve Italian Bread with Style

• Rustic Breakfast Companion: Slice the warm bread and pair it with creamy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or spreadable butter for a delightful morning meal.
• Mediterranean Sandwich Delight: Use thick slices to create hearty sandwiches filled with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and a drizzle of olive oil.
• Appetizer Elegance: Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve alongside marinara sauce, herbed olive oil, or use as a base for bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and basil.
• Soup-Dunking Champion: Tear chunks of bread to soak up rich minestrone, creamy tomato soup, or hearty beef stew, adding texture and flavor to your comforting meal.

Store Your Loaf to Keep It Fresh and Soft

• Freshness First: Wrap the cooled bread in a clean kitchen towel or place in a bread box to maintain its crusty exterior and soft interior for 2-3 days at room temperature.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Slice the bread before freezing, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Frozen bread stays delicious for up to 3 months – perfect for quick meal prep or unexpected guests.
• Revive and Refresh: Bring refrigerated or frozen bread back to life by warming in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle with water before heating to restore that just-baked crispness and warmth.
• Smart Serving Suggestions: Slice and use for sandwiches, toast with olive oil and herbs, serve alongside soups and pasta, or create delightful bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and basil for versatile meal options.

Legendary Italian Bread Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Focaccia from Naples showcases rustic bread-making traditions with simple ingredients and rich Mediterranean flavors. Bakers can craft this aromatic classic easily, delivering authentic Italian comfort for eager palates.

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Ingredients

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• 6 cups (1.4 L) all-purpose flour
• 2 (¼ oz) packets active dry yeast
• 3 tbsps granulated sugar
• ½ tsp granulated sugar
• 2 cups (480 mL) hot water
• ½ cup (120 mL) whole milk
• ¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 4 tbsps sesame seeds (optional)

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Warm milk to a tepid temperature and combine with active dry yeast and sugar, allowing the mixture to become frothy and indicate yeast vitality.
2. Liquid Base Formation: Blend hot water, olive oil, remaining sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a foundational liquid for the dough.
3. Dough Development: Integrate flour using a dough hook, kneading until the mixture transforms from a rough amalgamation to a smooth, elastic consistency that springs back when touched.
4. Initial Fermentation: Transfer dough to an oil-coated bowl, completely covering its surface, and let it rest in a warm environment until it expands to nearly double its original volume.
5. Shaping Technique: Deflate the risen dough and divide into two portions, then shape on a floured surface into either elongated oval or rounded loaves by folding, rolling, or gathering corners toward the center.
6. Final Proofing: Arrange shaped loaves on parchment-lined baking sheets, optionally embellishing with sesame seeds and creating diagonal slashes across the top to facilitate expansion during baking.
7. Baking Process: Preheat oven and position racks for uniform heating, bake loaves while rotating midway to achieve a consistent golden-brown exterior, ensuring doneness by listening for a hollow sound when tapping the bottom.
8. Cooling and Serving: Remove bread from the oven and allow a brief resting period before slicing to maintain optimal internal texture and moisture.

Notes

• Check Yeast Activation: Ensure the milk is warm (not hot) and watch for frothy bubbles, which indicate the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.
• Knead with Patience: Develop gluten by kneading until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, which takes about 8-10 minutes by hand or 5-6 minutes with a stand mixer.
• Create Perfect Rise: Place dough in a warm, draft-free spot like near a preheated oven or inside a turned-off oven with the light on to help it rise consistently.
• Slash for Success: Make diagonal cuts on the loaf surface to allow steam escape and create that professional bakery-style crust with beautiful expansion.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 4.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg