Homemade Artisan Bread, Amazingly Easy and So Delicious!

Want to get more out of homemade artisan bread amazingly without the guesswork? Below we walk through the essentials in plain language, with practical steps you can use right away.

Key Takeaways

• Within hours of getting my hands on that book, I was onboard.
• My first attempt at making homemade bread was ridiculously straightforward.
• Worth noting: and so successful I shocked myself and my family!
• A more delicious loaf of artisan bread I cannot purchase anywhere.

Is Homemade Artisan Bread Amazingly Worth It?

Jump to Recipe Print RecipeThe year 2007 was a solid one for me for numerous reasons. Here’s one: It’s the year I got solid at baking homemade bread thanks to a straightforward discovery that would go on to revolutionize the world of home baking. Presented in their book, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, authors Jeff Hertzberg, M.D. and Zoë Franḉois stated that anyone with an oven, flour, yeast, salt, and water could make authentic, artisan bread in just five minutes a day.

• And why would I, when I could now make it myself for about $.50 a loaf in just five minutes a day?
• I must admit that the exact terminology, “five minutes,” might be a stretch, but here’s how that term has come to be: Jeff and Zoë have honed this method to taking about 15 minutes to mix up a large batch of bread dough, which after its first rise, sits in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
• More importantly, when you’re ready to bake a loaf, it takes all of about five minutes to reach into the container, tear off a pound or so of dough, shape it, and get it oven-ready.
• That’s where the “five minutes a day” comes into play.

Where the Real Savings Hide

It’s the amount of daily labor required. I have used the method, but not baked each single day, since 2007.

• Remember that my husband could only dream of such a aspect, that’s how much he loves this rustic, homemade French bread.
• It reminds us of our trips to Paris and the neighborhood bakeries where Parisienne’s stop in each day to pick up a fresh loaf.
• Master Recipe Instructions (Full printable recipe with ingredients and instructions below) Pour warm water (about 100 F., which is just slightly warm to the touch) into a large container that has a lid.
• Add the yeast and salt.

A Closer Look at Homemade Artisan Bread Amazingly

As a rule, applying a large wooden spoon or “dough whisk,” mix to incorporate but don’t worry about getting it to completely dissolve.  Mix in all-purpose flour, adding it all at one time.  Don’t knead! It’s not necessary.  You’re finished when everything is uniformly moist without dry patches.  You can do this with an electric stand or hand mixer, although that too is not necessary.

• Mixing by hand is perfectly fine.  Cover with a lid that fits well to the container but can be cracked open so it’s not completely airtight.  If you’re applying a bowl, cover it loosely with plastic wrap.
• Towels don’t work as they stick to this highly wet dough.
• In short, set the container on the counter and allow the dough to rise at room temperature until it starts to collapse (flatten on top), about 2 hours.
• Just walk away and let it rise.  Next, without punching it down, move the container to the refrigerator.

What to Know About Homemade Artisan Bread Amazingly

Leave the lid in place (slightly cracked) and keep refrigerated, to be used over the next 14 days. Baking Day Prepare a pizza peel by dusting it generously with cornmeal and/or flour; or cover with a piece of parchment paper.

• Worth noting: move the container of dough from the refrigerator to the counter and dust the top of the dough with flour while the dough remains in the container.
• Now, pull up and cut off a 1-pound hunk of dough (grapefruit size) and set on a floured work surface.
• Move the container back to the refrigerator.
• Dust your hands with flour.

How Homemade Artisan Bread Amazingly Really Works

More importantly, gently stretch the surface of the piece of dough near to the bottom, rotating the ball a quarter-turn as you go. Dusting flour will mostly fall off and that’s OK.

• The correctly shaped loaf will be smooth on the top with the bottom looking like a collection of bunched-up ends.
• This process should take less than one minute.
• Remember that set the loaf on the prepared pizza peel to rest for about 40 minutes.
• It will become wider but not necessarily taller.

Getting the Most From Homemade Artisan Bread Amazingly

Set a cup of water within straightforward reach of the oven. Relax while the dough rests and the baking stone gets sizzling hot.

• As a rule, after 40 minutes or so, liberally dust the top of the dough with flour.
• Applying a sharp knife or kitchen shears, slash 1/2-inch cuts into the dough in any design you like.
• Just be sure you make at least four deep cuts.
• Leave the flour in place for baking.

Tips That Make a Difference

In short, you can tap it off later, before eating. Slide the loaf (including the parchment paper it’s sitting on if applying) onto the hot baking stone.

• Fast but carefully pour the water from the top into the broiler tray and close the oven fast.
• This will create a burst of steam.
• Worth noting: bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the loaf, measured with an instant-read thermometer, reads anywhere from 205F to 210F.
• Apply the pizza peel to remove the loaf to a cooling rack.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on homemade artisan bread amazingly?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. Presented in their book, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, authors Jeff Hertzberg, M.D. and Zoë Franḉois stated that anyone with an oven, flour, yeast, salt, and water could make authentic, artisan bread in just five....

Is it worth shopping around for homemade artisan bread amazingly?

Usually yes. And why would I, when I could now make it myself for about $.50 a loaf in just five minutes a day?.

What should I check before buying?

Read the terms, confirm any code still works, and factor in shipping or returns. I must admit that the exact terminology, “five minutes,” might be a stretch, but here’s how that term has come to be: Jeff and Zoë have honed this method to taking about 15 minutes to mix up a large batch of bread dough,....

Smart Ways to Save More on Homemade Artisan Bread Amazingly

• Pair cashback with a coupon so you save twice on the same order.
• Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.
• Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.

Final Thoughts

Before you check out, line up homemade artisan bread amazingly against current promotions and any codes you can stack. Small habits like these add up to real savings over a year.

Originally published at everydaycheapskate.com.