Easy Artisan Bread

Ingredients:

3 cups warm water
1 1/2 tablespoons granulated yeast
1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
6 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Directions:

Add flour, yeast, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Pour in water and stir until combined. Cover bowl with foil for 2-5 hours (can put in the refrigerator if you need more time before you can bake it).

Divide dough into three loaves (with a knife). Cover with flour and form into balls. Lay on a greased baking sheet (or silicon baking mat covered baking sheet) and let rest for 20-30 minutes.

With a sharp knife, slash the top of each loaf into 3 lines or a criss-cross pattern. This helps let out some steam in the dough. If you don’t slash your bread, the bread will most likely make it’s own tear somewhere during cooking.

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees and add a small pan filled with 1 cup of water on a lower rack for a water bath (water bath is optional). Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Place your baked bread on a baking rack to cool.

* Adapted from http://www.makeandtakes.com/warning-easiest-recipe-for-homemade-bread