Parmesan Garlic Artisan Bread (Printable)

Rustic loaf with golden crust, tender crumb infused with Parmesan and garlic. Easy overnight method brings bakery results to your kitchen.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dough

01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons salt
03 - 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
04 - 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
05 - 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Add-ins

07 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or parsley (optional)

# How to Make:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar until thoroughly blended.
02 - Dissolve the yeast in warm water in a small bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy and activated.
03 - Pour the yeast mixture and olive oil into the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until a sticky, shaggy dough forms.
04 - Fold in the Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and herbs if using. Mix until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
05 - Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for 12-18 hours until doubled in size and bubbly on surface.
06 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently shape into a round loaf, handling minimally to preserve air pockets.
07 - Place the dough on parchment paper and rest for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 450°F with a Dutch oven inside.
08 - Make a shallow slash across the top of the loaf with a sharp knife or lame to control expansion during baking.
09 - Carefully transfer the dough with parchment into the preheated Dutch oven. Cover with lid and bake for 30 minutes.
10 - Remove the lid and continue baking for 15 minutes until deep golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when tapped on bottom.
11 - Transfer the loaf to a wire rack and cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to ensure proper texture.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The overnight fermentation does all the heavy lifting while you sleep, creating those professional bakery air pockets and complex flavors
  • This dough is incredibly forgiving and actually performs better when you barely touch it
02 -
  • The Dutch oven method creates a steam-filled environment that gives you that crackly bakery crust without any fancy equipment
  • Resist the urge to add more flour when handling the sticky dough because that stickiness is exactly what creates those gorgeous air pockets
03 -
  • If you do not have a Dutch oven, a heavy baking sheet with a bowl of water on the bottom rack creates a similar steamy environment
  • The slash on top is not just decorative because it directs where the bread expands, preventing ugly blowouts on the sides
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