Rustic Bread

Is there anything better that freshly baked bread?! This is easiest bread to throw together! I bake it all the time - I like serving one loaf fresh out of the oven and letting the other cool then slicing and freezing it for later!

Ingredients

• 2 tsp Active Dry Yeast

• 1 Tbsp Raw Cane Sugar

• 3 Cups Warm Water

• 1 Tbsp Salt

• 6 Cups Unbleached Flour

directions

In a large bowl mix together yeast, sugar and water and let sit for about 5 minutes until bubbly.

Add salt then flour and knead until a somewhat sticky dough forms. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for 1 hour (2 or 3 hours is fine too!)

Preheat oven to 450F. Punch down dough and divide into two even loaves. Place on a lightly floured sheet pan. Use a sharp knife to cut an X on the top of each. Bake for 35 minutes.

For an extra crispy crust, fill a sheet pan with ice cubes and place on the bottom rack to create steam.

Optional: Beat an egg and brush onto the top of each loaf before baking for a golden crust!