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Homemade Italian Bread

Homemade Italian Bread
This homemade Italian Bread is a cool rise bread. It can be made in advance and put in the refrigerator for anywhere from 2-24 hours. It’s great to bake just before guests arrive! Watch video tutorial below.
Yield 2 loaves
2

Reviews

Ingredients

  • 5 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 2 (0.25oz each) packages (14g) or 4 1/2 teaspoons Platinum Yeast
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoon table salt
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 3/4 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons cornmeal (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for brushing)
  • 1 large egg white (for egg wash)
  • 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar, salt.
  • In a microwave safe bowl, heat the butter and water until it is very warm, but not hot (about 120-130°F). The butter does not have to be completely melted.
  • With the mixer on low speed with the paddle attachment, gradually beat the liquid into dry ingredients until just blended. Increase the speed to medium and beat for two minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Beat in the remaining flour to make a soft dough, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Switch to the dough hook attachment and knead the bread for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  • Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Cut the dough in half; cover and let it rest for 20 minutes. Spray a large cookie sheet with non-stick spray and sprinkle with cornmeal (optional).
  • On a floured surface, roll one dough half into a 15×10-inch rectangle. Starting with the 15-inch side, tightly roll the dough jelly-roll style. Pinch the seam to seal. Repeat with the other half of the dough. Place the loaves, seam-side down on a cookie sheet and taper the ends. Brush with vegetable oil. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 6 to 24 hours.
  • To bake, preheat oven to 425°F. Remove the loaves from the refrigerator, uncover and let stand 10 minutes. Cut 3-4 diagonal slashes on top of each loaf. Bake for 20 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, beat egg white with 1 tablespoon water. Remove loaves from the oven. Combine egg white and water. Brush with loaves with egg mixture. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Allow the bread to cool completely, then store in an airtight container.

Notes

Start this recipe early in the day, or a day in advance of the day you need the bread.
Recipe by Tastes of Lizzy T.

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Review & Comments

Lorene | Reply

Can I store SAF in an airtight plastic container?

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Lorene – Yes. Once opened, store dry yeast in an airtight container and place in the freezer (for long-term storage) or refrigerator. More storage information can be found here: https://redstaryeast.com/red-star-products/red-star-quick-rise-instant-yeast/, click on the ‘Shelf Life & Storage’ tab.
Happy baking!

Shirley Gabri | Reply

How to substitute INSTANT RISE yeast for Platinum yeast.
Thanks

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Shirley – you can substitute our Quick Rise Instant Yeast 1-for-1 for Platinum Yeast. Keep an eye on your dough as rise times may vary.
Happy baking!

Irene | Reply

Don’t see instructions on how and when to ‘cool rise’?

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Irene,
The cool rise is in the refrigerator. You can refrigerate the dough for 2 to 24 hours.
Happy baking!

Margie | Reply

5 stars
Love this recipe. The bread came out springy. This is the 2nd recipe I’ve tried from the red star yeast website (cast iron pizza dough recipe is amazing that I even started making Sicilian pie with it) and I haven’t been disappointed. Not sure if it’s their yeast or their recipes, but I am definitely a fan of red star.

Peter D | Reply

Love to try this!

Margo | Reply

5 stars
Excellent cool rise bread. I like the flexibility of this dough. Neighbors like it also.

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