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–+ servings
slices of soft and fluffy Italian bread
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4.75 from 4 votes

Super Soft Italian Bread

A very soft and tender Italian bread topped with sesame seeds.  Perfect to serve with a pasta dinner. 
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
rising time2 hours
Total Time3 hours
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: sesame seed Italian bread. braided Italian loaf, soft Italian bread
Servings: 10 slices
Calories: 181kcal
Author: Katie

Ingredients

For the bread dough:

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup of water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon dry powdered milk
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons instant yeast

For topping the dough:

  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Mix. Add all ingredients to a bowl or bread machine bucket, and mix until ingredients are combined. The dough should completely clear the sides of the bowl, and not seem wet or sticky.  If it is too sticky to handle, add a little more flour. If it seems dry, heavy or crumbly, add a little more water. Allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.
    bread dough ingredients in read mahcine before and after mixing.
  • Knead. Knead until smooth and stretchy, about 10 minutes by machine or 15-20 by hand. (If using a bread machine, just let the DOUGH cycle complete. and skip ahead to the shaping step.)
  • Divide and rest. Divide risen dough into two or three equal pieces (depending on whether you are making baguettes or braids) and roll gently into 10 inch logs.  Allow them to rest, covered in greased plastic wrap, about 15 minutes or so.  This will make them easier to work with. Pull them out a bit longer, to about 18 inches long.  
    balls of dough cut into logs to be shaped.
  • Braid. If you are making a braided loaf, braid starting from the center and finishing on the ends. For oval shaped oaves, just shape gently into a log by pinching the bottom and side seams smooth.
    italian loaf being braided.
  • Brush. Place the loaf on a baking sheet either prepared with parchment or sprayed with cooking spray.  Brush the loaf with the beaten egg.  Sprinkle sesame seeds on top, pressing to help them stick.
    loaf being brushed with egg wash.
  • Second rise. Cover the loaf with greased plastic wrap and allow to rise 30-60 minutes.  Keep an eye on the loaf, as the pattern will be ruined if it over-rises.  Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • Bake and cool. Bake in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes for baguettes, or 30 minutes for the braid. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Video

Notes

Be sure not to undertake- the loaves will appear very brown because of the egg wash, which can be deceptive.

Nutrition

Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 299mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 24IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 2mg