Hi Sandra, at what point during the bake are you removing the lid? Leaving the lid on too long or for too short a time might result in a crust that is too crusty. I generally recommend removing the lid about halfway through the bake. In addition, it's possible you are baking at too high a temperature or for too long. One more consideration is how you store the bread once it's cooled. Although storing crusty loaves in a paper bag or cut side down on a cutting board can help keep the bread crustier for a day or two, I find it necessary to store my crusty loaves in a plastic bag after that, or they dry out and become too hard. Storing your bread in a plastic bag will tend to soften the crust. For more help troubleshooting, please don't hesitate to call our Baker's Hotline. We're here M-F from 9am-9pm EST, and Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm EST, and the number to call is 851-371-BAKE (2253). 

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