Crusty Overnight Bread


15 oz (3 cups) unbleached all purpose flour
1 3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp instant or rapid rise yeast
1 1/2 cups water

Additions (add before water)
3/4 cup cranberries, orange zest from one orange and about 1/2 cups sliced almonds
zest from a lemon, 1 tsp chopped rosemary and about 1 cup shredded Gruyere
lemon, thyme, asiago
raisin, walnut, cinnamon
pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, poppy seed


In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt and yeast.  Add water and mix until a shaggy mixture forms.  

Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 12 - 18 hours.  Overnight works great.  

Heat oven to 450 degrees.  When the oven has reached 450 degrees place a cast iron pot with a lid in the oven and heat the pot for 30 minutes. 

Meanwhile, pour dough onto a heavily floured surface and shape into a ball.  Cover with plastic wrap and let set while the pot is heating.  

Remove hot pot from the oven and drop in the dough.  Cover and return to oven for 30 minutes.  After 30 minutes remove the lid and bake an additional 15 minutes.  

Remove bread from oven and place on a cooling rack to cool. 

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