No-Knead Bread - The Best Ever
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Whisk flour, yeast, and salt in large mixing bowl.
- 2
Add water, beer, and vinegar. Fold and stir with rubber spatula, scraping sides and bottom to incorporate all flour, until a shaggy ball of dough forms.
- 3
Cover mixing bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 8 to 18 hours. The longer it sits, the tangier the flavor. It will have a lot of "jiggle" when risen.
- 4
Transfer dough to lightly floured counter and, with well-floured hands, knead 10 to 15 times to build some gluten strength.
- 5
Shape dough into ball by pulling edges into middle and swirling it around so its sticky bottom pulls the skin tighter.
- 6
Place seam side down into parchment paper-lined, greased skillet at room temperature. Spray top of dough and cover with plastic wrap.
- 7
Let rise at room temperature until doubled in size (about 2 hours). Should readily spring back when poked.
- 8
During the last 30 minutes of rising, place empty Dutch oven on bottom rack of oven and preheat to 500°F.
- 9
Lightly dust top of bread with flour and make a 1/2-inch deep razor blade slit or "X" across the top for expansion.
- 10
Using parchment paper to lift, carefully place dough into the hot Dutch oven. Lower oven temperature to 425°F.
- 11
Cover with Dutch oven lid and bake for 30 minutes. Remove lid and continue to bake uncovered for another 30 minutes, until interior reaches 210°F and crust is deep brown.
- 12
Cool on wire rack for 2 hours before slicing.
💡 Cook's Notes
Cook's Illustrated raves about how this bread turns out as well as any bakery bread. **Important:** If you don't let it cool for 2 hours before cutting, the interior will turn to mush. **Parmesan-Rosemary with Olives:** Add 4 oz grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 cups) and 1 Tbsp finely minced rosemary to dry mix. Add 1/2 cup pitted, chopped olives (green or black) to wet mix. **Cranberry-Pecan:** Add 1/2 cup dried cranberries and 1/2 cup toasted pecans. **Whole Wheat Honey:** Replace 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 cup whole wheat flour. Stir 2 Tbsp honey into water before mixing.
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