Easy Homemade Bread loaf

This homemade bread is one of my crowd pleasers. It's my favorite way to get that fresh bakery style loaf without having to keep up with a sourdough starter. It's perfect for dinner parties, holidays, or just having fresh bread at home. The dough can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days, so all you have to do is bake it before everyone arrives.

Ingredients

3 cups warm water

1½ tbsp salt

1½ tbsp active dry yeast

6 ½ cups all purpose flour

Directions

1. In an 8-quart food-safe container, add the warm water, salt, and active dry yeast. Stir until well combined.

2. Let the yeast mixture sit for about 5 minutes.

3. Add 6½ cups of flour and mix until a shaggy dough forms.

4. Cover the container loosely with a clean dish towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 2 hours.

5. After the dough has risen, cover the container with its plastic lid and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.

6. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400°F. This dough makes enough for two loaves, so remove about half of the dough for one loaf.

7. Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on a piece of parchment paper. Let it rest on the counter for about 45 minutes while the oven preheats.

8. Place your Dutch oven in the oven while it preheats so it gets nice and hot.

9. Once the oven and Dutch oven are fully preheated, carefully place the loaf into the Dutch oven, keeping it on the parchment paper.

10. Cover and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown on top.