Hearth Bread

Recipe by Brinna Sands
251 Reviews 4.6 out of 5 stars

This recipe appeared on the back of our King Arthur flour bags for years. Many a baker has learned to bake crusty, chewy hearth-style bread using this recipe — how about you? With its directions geared towards the beginning bread baker, this is a wonderful place for a "newbie" to start. Bonus: The recipe makes two big loaves, one to enjoy at home and one to share with a neighbor or friend.

Prep
15 mins
Bake
35 to 40 mins
Total
2 hrs 35 mins
Yield
2 large loaves
Hearth Bread
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Instructions

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  1. To mix the dough: Mix all of the ingredients together, using the smaller amount of flour. Mix thoroughly until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, adding more of the flour if necessary. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface to knead. (This may be a little messy, but don't give up!)

  2. To knead the dough by hand: Fold the far edge of the dough back over on itself towards you. Press into the dough with the heels of your hands and push away. After each push, rotate the dough 90°. Repeat this process in a rhythmic, rocking motion for 5 minutes, sprinkling only enough flour on your kneading surface to prevent sticking. Let the dough rest while you scrape out and grease the mixing bowl. Knead the dough again for 2 to 3 minutes.

    A baker kneading dough by hand on the counter.

  3. To knead the dough using a stand mixer: Mix all of the ingredients together using your mixer's dough hook. You'll want to reduce the amount of water to 1 3/4 cups, since you won't be using any extra flour on a kneading surface, as you do when kneading by hand. Knead the dough at low-medium speed for about 10 minutes total, until it's smooth and just barely sticking to the bottom and/or sides of the bowl.

  4. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl large enough for it to at least double in size. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft-free place (your turned-off oven works well) until the dough doubles, about 1 to 2 hours.

    A glass bowl of risen dough that is quite puffy.

  5. To shape the dough: Gently deflate the dough. Cut it in half and shape into two oval Italian- or longer, thinner French-style loaves. Place the loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment (if you have it) and generously sprinkled with cornmeal or semolina. The cornmeal or semolina are optional, but give the bottom crust lovely crunch. 

    A baker folding dough into a loaf shape by first folding the dough in thirds (like a letter) and then using the heel of their hand to seal the seam.

  6. Let the loaves rise, gently covered in greased plastic wrap, for 45 minutes, until they're noticeably puffy. Toward the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 425°F.

    A baker poking a loaf of bread to see if the dough is fully risen, the dough bounces back after being touched.

  7. To bake the bread: Brush or spray the loaves generously with lukewarm water; this step, which helps keep the top crust pliant while baking, will enhance the bread's rise. Lightly slash the tops of the loaves three or more times diagonally. Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven.

    A baker using a serrated knife to cut three diagonal lines in the top of the loaf.

  8. Bake the bread for 35 to 40 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and sounds hollow to the touch. The interior temperature of the bread should register at least 200°F on a digital thermometer.

  9. Remove the loaves from the oven, take them off the pan, and return them to the oven, placing them right on the rack. Turn the oven off and crack the door open several inches. Let the loaves cool in the cooling oven; this will make them extra-crusty.

  10. Store completely cool bread in a paper bag at room temperature for a couple of days. For longer storage, wrap well and freeze.

Tips from our Bakers

  • Can you mix and knead this dough using a bread machine? Yes, of course. Place all of the ingredients into the bucket of your machine, set it to the dough cycle, and let the machine complete its cycle. Shape, let rise, and bake bread as directed in the recipe above.

  • As a result of reader feedback, we've omitted the instructions from the original recipe for baking the bread by starting it in a cold oven. Not all ovens preheat the same way, and baking in a preheating oven may cause bread to burn. For those of you who've been making this recipe successfully starting in a cold oven, here are the directions you'd been using, starting with slashing the risen loaves: "Lightly slash the tops of the loaves three or more times diagonally and brush them with cold water. Place the pan on the middle rack of a cold oven with a roasting filled about 1" deep with boiling water on the oven bottom. Set the oven temperature to 450°F, and turn on the oven. Bake the bread for 35 to 45 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and sounds hollow to the touch. Its interior temperature should register at least 190°F on a digital thermometer."

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