Best 3 Crusty Bread In A Cast Iron Pot Recipes

**Discover the Art of Rustic Baking with Cast Iron: A Culinary Journey Through Crusty Bread, Savory Focaccia, and Artisan Pizza**

Embark on a culinary adventure with our collection of cast iron bread recipes, where rustic charm meets modern convenience. From the classic Crusty Bread that delights with its golden-brown crust and chewy interior to the aromatic Focaccia topped with fresh herbs and salty olives, each recipe promises a sensory experience like no other. And for those craving a taste of Italy, our Artisan Pizza recipe transforms your home kitchen into a pizzeria, yielding a crispy crust and flavorful toppings that rival the best. With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, these recipes guide you through the process of creating bakery-quality bread at home, utilizing the unique properties of cast iron cookware to achieve exceptional results.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

CRUSTY BREAD IN A CAST IRON POT

Crusty Bread In A Cast Iron Pot image

This is so easy. Just let it sit overnight and then bake. You can also add your favorite spices to this recipe like rosemary, cinnamon, or even cheese.

Provided by Valeree Dunbar

Categories Other Breads

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 4

Ingredients

3 c unbleached all purpose flour
1 3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp instant or rapid rise yeast
1 1/2 c room temperature water

Steps:

1. In large mixing bowl whisk together flour, salt, and yeast. Add room temperature or lukewarm water and mix until a shaggy mixture forms. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 12 to 18 hours. Overnight works good.
2. Heat oven to 450 degrees. When oven reaches 450 place a cast iron pot with lid in the oven and heat pot for 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile pour dough onto heavily floured surface and shape into ball. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit while pot is heating.
4. Remove pot from oven and place dough inside pot. Cover and return to oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove lid and bake additional 15 minutes. Remove bread from oven and place bread on cooling rack.

CRUSTY HOMEMADE BREAD

Crusty Homemade Bread image

Crackling homemade bread makes an average day extraordinary. Enjoy this beautiful crusty bread recipe as is, or stir in a few favorites like cheese, garlic, herbs and dried fruits. -Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h10m

Yield 1 loaf (16 pieces).

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

1-1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1-3/4 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
3-1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon cornmeal or additional flour

Steps:

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Using a rubber spatula, stir in 3-1/2 cups flour and salt to form a soft, sticky dough. Do not knead. Cover and let rise at room temperature 1 hour., Stir down dough (dough will be sticky). Turn onto a floured surface; with floured hands pat into a 9-in. square. Fold square into thirds, forming a 9x3-in. rectangle. Fold rectangle into thirds, forming a 3-in. square. Place in a large greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise at room temperature until almost doubled, about 1 hour., Punch down dough and repeat folding process. Return dough to bowl; refrigerate, covered, overnight., Grease the bottom of a disposable foil roasting pan with sides at least 4 in. high; dust pan with cornmeal. Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead gently 6-8 times; shape into a 6-in. round loaf. Place into prepared pan; dust top with remaining 1 tablespoon flour. Cover pan and let rise at room temperature until dough expands to a 7-1/2-in. loaf, about 1-1/4 hours. , Preheat oven to 500°. Using a sharp knife, make a slash (1/4 in. deep) across top of loaf. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake on lowest oven rack 25 minutes., Reduce oven setting to 450°. Remove foil; bake bread until deep golden brown, 25-30 minutes. Remove loaf to a wire rack to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 105 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 296mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

THE BEST CRUSTY BREAD (DUTCH OVEN)

The Best Crusty Bread (Dutch Oven) image

The next time you want warm crusty bread, give this recipe a try. The outside is crisp while the inside stays firm and moist. To get the true crust effect, start the dough the night before. The aroma of the fresh bread baking in the Dutch oven will make the house smell wonderful. When you open the Dutch oven, there's the perfect...

Provided by Pat DiMercurio

Categories Other Breads

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 4

Ingredients

3 c bread flour
1 tsp active dry yeast
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c water, warm

Steps:

1. Whisk flour, yeast, and salt in a 3-4 quart bowl with a tight-fitting lid. I like to use my trusty Tupperware. If you don't have a bowl w/lid use plastic wrap on a bowl.
2. Add the water and stir with a wooden spoon until the dough is mixed well.
3. The dough will be quite sticky and shaggy looking, but that's OK.
4. Cover the bowl and set aside for 12-18 hours (up to 24 overnight is fine).
5. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place a cast-iron Dutch oven with the lid into the oven while preheating and heat the pot/lid for 30 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, scrape the risen dough from the bowl onto a heavily floured surface. (Dough will still be very sticky.)
7. With floured hands, gently shape the dough into a round loaf, making sure there's enough flour on the surface so the dough doesn't stick. Let the dough just sit there until your pot is preheated.
8. Take the hot pot from the oven and gently place the dough into the pot.
9. Cover with the lid and return to the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
10. Remove the lid at that time and return the pot to the oven for another 10-15 minutes.
11. Gently shake the loaf onto a cooling rack and enjoy the beautiful aroma. Give it a chance to cool before cutting into the loaf.

Tips for Making Crusty Bread in a Cast Iron Pot:

Use a good quality dough: The quality of your dough will greatly impact the final product. Make sure to use a dough that is well-kneaded and has a good rise.
Preheat your cast iron pot: Preheat your cast iron pot in the oven before adding your dough. This will help to create a crispy crust.
Use a Dutch oven: A Dutch oven is a great option for baking bread in a cast iron pot. The lid will help to trap steam and create a moist environment, which will help to produce a soft and fluffy interior.
Score your dough: Scoring your dough before baking will help to create a more even rise and prevent the bread from cracking.
Bake your bread at a high temperature: Bake your bread at a high temperature for the first 15-20 minutes. This will help to create a crispy crust.
Let your bread cool before slicing: Let your bread cool completely before slicing. This will help to prevent the bread from tearing.

Conclusion:

Baking crusty bread in a cast iron pot is a great way to achieve a delicious and professional-looking loaf of bread. By following these tips, you can create a perfect loaf of bread that is sure to impress your friends and family. So what are you waiting for? Get baking!