Grandma’s Rustic Village Bread
Soft Inside, Crispy Outside — Homemade Bread Ready in Just 2 Hours
There’s nothing better than the smell of freshly baked village bread filling the kitchen. This old-fashioned recipe is simple, comforting, and made with only a few pantry ingredients — just the way grandmothers used to bake it.
Ingredients
4 cups (500 g) wheat flour
1¼ tsp (4 g) dry yeast
1¾ cups (400 ml) warm water
1½ tsp (7 g) salt
Instructions
Activate the Yeast
In a large bowl, combine the warm water and dry yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until slightly foamy.
Prepare the Dough
Add the flour and salt to the bowl. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead the Dough
Knead the dough for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough feels too sticky, lightly dust with flour.
First Rise
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Shape the Bread
Punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf or oval bread. Place it on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Second Rise
Cover and let the dough rest for another 30 minutes.
Bake
Preheat the oven to 220°C (430°F).
Make a few shallow cuts on top of the dough and bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
Cool & Serve
Let the bread cool slightly before slicing. Enjoy warm with butter, olive oil, cheese, or your favorite homemade meals.
Baking Tip
For an extra crispy crust, place a small oven-safe dish with hot water in the oven while baking.
