The BEST Bread for Beginners... The Old Amish Way in 5 Minutes, by Amish Cooking on YouTube. 19 min 58 s.
- Video length
- 19 min 58 s
- Time to do it
- 18 hours (mostly waiting)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Mix 3 cups of flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of yeast in a large bowl. Stir with a spoon until combined.
Pour in about 1 1/2 cups of lukewarm water. Stir until no dry flour remains. The dough should look shaggy and sticky, not smooth.
Cover the bowl with a tea towel or plastic wrap. Leave it on the counter at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours.
Turn the risen dough out onto a floured surface. Fold it over on itself a few times with floured hands, then shape it into a round ball.
Place the dough on parchment paper and cover it. Let it rest for about 1 hour while the oven heats.
Put your Dutch oven with its lid on into the oven and heat to 450 F (230 C) for 30 minutes.
Carefully lift the hot pot out. Lower the dough in on the parchment, put the lid on and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the lid and bake another 15 to 20 minutes until the crust is deep golden brown.
Lift the loaf out and let it cool on a rack for at least 1 hour before slicing.
Tips and common mistakes
Use lukewarm water, not hot, so you do not kill the yeast.
A long slow rise builds flavor, so do not rush the 12 to 18 hours.
The pot is very hot, so use thick oven gloves and keep your face back when you open the lid.
Store the cooled loaf cut side down on a board or wrapped in a cloth to keep the crust crisp.
Questions
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes. Use the same small amount. Instant yeast can go straight into the flour without being dissolved first.
Why is my dough so sticky?
No-knead dough is meant to be wet and sticky. Add flour only a spoonful at a time when shaping, not during mixing.
Do I need a Dutch oven?
It gives the best crust by trapping steam. A heavy lidded pot or a covered casserole works too.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
