How To Bake Bread In The Oven With A Covered Pan

Easy and Delicious Bread Baking in the Oven

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the house. If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at baking bread but felt intimidated by the process, fear not! Baking bread in the oven with a covered pan is a simple and foolproof method that yields delicious results every time. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to achieve bakery-quality bread in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons of salt
• 1 ½ cups of warm water
• 1 ½ teaspoons of active dry yeast

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. In a separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature for 12-18 hours. The long fermentation time will develop the flavor of the bread and create a beautiful, holey crumb.

Step 3: Preheat the Oven

Place a covered Dutch oven or cast-iron pot in the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C). Heating the pot along with the oven ensures that the bread will have a crispy crust.

Step 4: Shape the Dough

Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a well-floured surface. Shape it into a ball, then cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest while the oven continues to preheat.

Step 5: Bake the Bread

Carefully remove the hot pot from the oven. Uncover the dough and carefully place it into the pot. Cover the pot with its lid and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the lid and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown.

Step 6: Enjoy!

Once the bread is done, remove it from the pot and let it cool on a wire rack. The crust will crackle and sing as it cools. Slice into it and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Baking bread in the oven with a covered pan is a simple and rewarding process that anyone can master. With just a few basic ingredients and some patience, you can create artisan-quality bread that will impress your friends and family. So, roll up your sleeves, preheat that oven, and get ready to savor the incomparable taste of homemade bread.