My Grandma’s Italian Bread is an easy homemade bread recipe made with flour, water, yeast, salt, some sugar, and shortening. It’s got the perfect crust, crunchy with a slight chewiness and is so incredibly soft and delightful on the inside. It’s also a delicious way to sop up the leftover sauce when paired with my mother’s lasagna!
This bread is great out of the oven slathered with butter, as a side with your favorite pasta dinner, used for your panini sandwich at lunch or even toasted for breakfast!
Italian Bread
I grew up eating this bread at my grandparent’s house growing up so often that I honestly don’t remember a time when she didn’t have a loaf in her kitchen.
She made two loaves just about every week. We ate it with her Chicken Cacciatore, Manhattan Clam Chowder and with just about every dinner.
However, my most favorite way of eating it was right out of the oven completely covered in butter.
You know those dishes that instantly transport you back in time? The ones you enjoyed so much over so many years that no matter how long it’s been, one taste sends you right back to childhood?
This Italian Bread is that for me. I remember barely being able to wait for it to cool before stealing a slice and slathering it all over with butter to eat right at the kitchen counter.
SAVE MY GRANDMA’S ITALIAN BREAD TO YOUR FAVORITEPINTEREST BOARD!
The butter would just melt into the small holes of the bread, it’d be warm and my hands would get greasy as I savored every. single. bite.
That slightly chewy crust and soft insides still make me swoon. Memories of Grandma’s kitchen will always hold a very special place in my heart.
To this day, I still see her standing at the counter kneading the dough on the wooden board that I now proudly own. I’d peek at the dough rising in the oven in the green bowl (oh, how I wish I had that relic), and would then watch it bake through the oven window.
When she thought it was done she’d make sure by tapping the bottom and listening for that hollow sound.
And the smell.
That incredible, incredible aroma of freshly baked homemade Italian bread just completely permeated every air molecule in the house, intoxicating me and casting me under its spell.
And thetortureit was waiting for the dough to not only rise, but then to also wait for the final countdown for it to come out of the oven. That darn timer would not go off fast enough!
When she did cut me a piece, and before she buttered it, I always had to hold it up to my nose to smell the yeasty goodness. Oh, how wonderful it was. Deep, deep long breaths I’d take, enjoying each and every moment.
To this day, when I get fresh bread or even pizza crust, I have to smell it. The kids think I’m weird, but it’s something I’ll never stop doing.
Homemade Italian Bread
Even though I didn’t bake with her often, I know without a doubt that my grandmother’s kitchen is where my love for food began. All that can be done in a kitchen began to grow in my imagination in those moments.
She was French Canadian, not even Italian, but man could my grandmother cook. And bake, too!
Looking back now, I so wish I’d paid more attention and spent more time with her, learning her secrets, writing down all of her recipes.
There are definitely a couple I wish I had.
How to Make Italian Bread
When I started my original 365 Days of Baking project, I had two recipe cards for my Grandma’s Italian Bread that I’d found in my mother’s recipe box. I was very excited when I came across them.
There were so many of Grandma’s recipes I’d never get to make but at least I held the secrets to this beautiful perfect crusty Italian bread! So I thought.
I read through the list of ingredients and instructions and my heart sank. The recipe card stopped after it said to knead for about 7 minutes.
There were no instructions as to how long this bread dough supposed to rise, rest, or bake. No inclination of what temperature to set my oven, no tips for how to shape a perfect loaf.
NOOOOO!!!!
I was devastated. This was a recipe I sowanted to make and share with my family. There’s something about sharing that experience of how delicious the freshly baked bread truly is.
So it sat. And it sat for over twenty years.
Until I found what turned out to be the “rest” of the recipe over at Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. When I saw that I knew that those instructions would probably work well with my Grandma’s Italian Bread recipe too.
So, the ingredients and the beginning of the directions for this homemade Italian bread are Gram’s while the finishing touches come from Mel. Combining the two recipes across decades made for a loaf that’s just like the ones I enjoyed all those years ago.
It smells just as heavenly, too.
Oh, and just a side note.
There’s a reason Mel says to use yourbroiler pan or a similar pan made of metal while baking the bread. Don’t ignore her and use your glass baking pan! Do you know what will happen if you put a glass pan into a 450 degree F. oven and then pour hot water into it just before baking the bread?
It’s not pretty, folks. Stick with a metal baking sheet or broiler pan and you’ll be just fine.
Tips for making Grandma’s Italian Bread Recipe –
- Be patient!
This recipe is super easy to make, but you must have patience. There are times when the dough has to both rest and rise. It can be a struggle, but it’s well worth the wait, believe me! - Divide the 3 cups of flour into a separate bowl. That way, you won’t have to take the time to remeasure when you’re adding it to the yeast mixture.
- When I can’t find a warm enough spot in my house for the dough to rise, I turn my oven to bake at 170°. I do it when I mix and knead the dough then turn it off. Then allow it to rise in the oven. Warm (but not hot) temperatures help the dough rise.
- I’ve had success both baking it on the pizza stone, as well as on a cookie sheet upside down. Both work, I think I just prefer the way it turns out on the cookie sheet best. (For the life of me, I cannot remember what Grandma used. Weird, isn’t it?)
- Listen for that hollow sound when you tap on the bottom to know that the loaves are completely baked. This is key. There have been many a time that I’ve been impatient to bite into a slice that I’ve taken it out too early. The middle needs to be completely done and the hollow sound helps you identify its doneness without busting into the loaf.
- If you don’t devour both loaves in the first week (like I often do), the second loaf can be frozen. Wrap it up tight in plastic wrap once it’s completely cooled and then again in aluminum foil. Then freeze for no more than three weeks.
Bread Recipes
There’s just something about making a loaf of homemade bread – the kneading, the baking. I just find it so comforting, don’t you?
Bread can turn any dish into a full meal. Like I mentioned before, my favorite way to eat this bread is with plain old butter. It’s also so good with a dipping oil like this Restaurant-Style Olive Oil and Balsamic Dipping Oil.
Put this bread on the table as a side for One-Pot Sausage Linguini or spaghetti with Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs. The bread is excellent for soaking up all that good sauce leftover on your plate!
Slices of homemade bread are excellent with Pepperoni Pizza Pasta and Chicken Mozzarella Pasta, too. Try it with Stuffed Shells or Chicken Piccata for an Italian fest!
Grandma’s Italian Bread as a side dish
There’s nothing like the aroma of fresh bread baking and the satisfaction of slicing into a loaf you made yourself.
It is perfect for dipping into sauces and soups, too! We love eating it when I make thisHomemade Chicken Noodle Soup. Pairing both of them together makes a meal
Whenever we’re making jambalaya, I bust out my recipe for Corn Spoon Bread. Like a cross between a casserole and bread pudding, it’s a side dish that pairs well with southern and cajun inspired meals.
Looking for a good breakfast bread recipe? Say hello toEnglish Muffin Bread! It has those little airy pockets that catch melty butter beautifully just like an English muffin.
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls are a recipe you need to make right now! Covered in cinnamon honey butter, they’re some of the best rolls to ever come out of my kitchen. Eating one of these is like biting into a sweet fluffy cloud.
Lately, I’ve been all about theseAsiago Herb Biscuits and if you like Italian flavors I know you’ll love those fresh homemade biscuits just as much.
Created by: Lynne Feifer
Grandma’s Italian Bread
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes minutes
Total Time 3 hours hours 33 minutes minutes
24 servings
This recipe from my childhood, my Grandma's Italian Bread is soft on the inside with a crunchy crust. It is a bread you will be making over and over again.
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoons dry yeast
- 3 ½ cups warm water
- 8 cups all-purpose flour divided
- 1 tablespoon shortening
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup of hot water for baking
Instructions
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in the 3 1/2 cups warm water.
Add 3 cups flour and the shortening, salt and sugar.
Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes, then add the rest of the flour, beating until all flour is incorporated and a sticky dough ball is formed.
Turn out onto a floured surface, putting a little bit more flour on the top to prevent sticking.
Knead for about 7 minutes, adding as little flour as possible, but enough to prevent it from sticking.
Allow the dough to rest for 5 minutes before transferring to a well-greased bowl.
Turn the dough over in the bowl once to get it coated.
Cover lightly with a clean kitchen towel and let rise for at least two hours.
Punch dough down.
Divide dough in half.
On a lightly floured surface and with floured hands, gently form it into a ball and place on a sheet of parchment. Do the same with the second half.
Let both loaves rest for 40 minutes.
Place a pizza stone in the oven on the middle shelf. On the lower rack, place the broiler pan or another metal pan. You will use this to hold the water during baking.
Preheat to 450° F. If you do not have a pizza stone, you can also use a rimmed baking sheet turned upside down. Allow the stone to sit in the oven for 20 minutes at 450° F before placing the dough on top of it. If using a baking sheet, only place it into the oven for 10 minutes prior to baking, not the 20 as with the pizza stone.
Lightly dust the top of the first loaf with flour and then, with a sharp knife, score an X into the top.
Place the dough with the parchment onto the pizza stone or upside down baking sheet in the oven.
Pour the one cup of water into the broiler pan. Quickly shut the oven door to contain the steam.
Bake for 24 - 28 minutes, until golden brown.
Do the same with the second loaf.
The loaves can be tested for doneness by tapping on the bottom. They should sound hollow.
Notes
This recipe makes two loaves.
Instead of using the dry yeast from a jar, you can also use 1 package of dry yeast which will yield you the amount needed.
For rising,I usually turn my oven to the lowest temperature and then turn it off before I place the dough into the oven to rise.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 294mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin C: 0.001mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 2mg
Here are some more meal ideas that you can make to enjoy along with this easy Italian Bread…
Lasagnais a hearty comfort food that just about everyone loves. It’s begging to be served to your crowd with a salad and a loaf of crusty homemade Italian bread.Skillet Spinach Lasagna is another take on lasagna I can’t recommend enough.
I can’t say enough good things about this Crockpot Pork Ragu. A pasta dish that can be made in the slow cooker on a busy day makes dinner time so convenient.
And what pairs better with homemade Italian bread than a piping hot bowl of Creamy Tomato Basil Soup? A few slices of bread with this tangy creamy soup are all I need on a chilly night.
I used to rate everything I baked on a scale of 1-4 with 4 being the best. This Grandma’s Italian Bread recipe definitely earned 4 rolling pins!!
Reader Interactions
The bread looks wonderful. I could eat this as my only sustenance. Pinned.
AnnamariaReply
Lynne says Thank you so much Annamaria! It was delicious.
Thanks for the pin!Reply
- Marie says
I’m making this bread now and it will brown on the bottom. Any suggestions
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- Susan says
Another bread recipe I found used ice cubes instead of water in the broiler pan.
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- Lynne says
Good tip, Susan. I’ll have to try that next time. Thanks!
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- Lisa says
Almost a decade since you published this recipe. Its so good/reliable/flexible. I typically use beef lard (tasteless for those of you who haven’t tried it) bc thats what I have on hand. The bread has great chew, nice crust and good shelf life with the lard. Thanks to you and your beloved grandmother.
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- Denice Perez says
I am trying this in my Bosch hoping for the best. Have you ever used fresh ground wheat berries? I’d like to try that since I have plenty on hand. Looks yummy!
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- Lynne says
No, I haven’t Denice, but it sounds good! Let me know how it is if you try it with the wheat berries!
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- Judy says
Can you do this in a bread machine? I am unable to knead dough due to a disability. I usually just use the dough setting.
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- Lynne says
Hi Judy!
You could try the bread machine. I honestly cannot tell you if it would or wouldn’t work as I’ve never used one before. I don’t see why it shouldn’t though. Please give it a try and let me know how it goes and I’ll add it to the recipe!Reply
- Jim says
I have always wanted to bake my own bread but never had time while I was working, but now that I am retired I have had time to get into making it… Fortunately I have a big kitchen aid stand mixer and it makes excellent bread dough turns out perfect every time… as everyone here knowsit is trial and error when you are learning how to make bread… I have only been baking bread for 4 months but I have picked up 2 tricks that really help… at first m loaves were coming out very dense and did not rise as much as I wanted… so my two solutions were to order a 12 inch silicone bread pan from Amazon and I add one tablespoon of vital wheat gluten for every two cups of flour… I allow it to rise about 2 inches above the top of the pan and the added benefit to using the silicone pan I hope your story is that it is flexible to a certain extent and as the dough Rises it pushes out on the sides allowing the bread to be almost round in shape… And nothing sticks to the silicone and the bread pops right out… I also got silicone mats to use on the counter when working and shaping the dough and nothing sticks to it… I hope that this will help some beginners like me
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- Lynne says
Jim, first of all congratulations for tackling bread making! It’s definitely not an easy task and I applaud you for your determination. Those rewards are pretty awesome though, aren’t they? Nothing like the smell of bread baking or having a slice when it’s fresh out of the oven.
Thank you so much for sharing all of your tips. I’m sure they’ll be a great help and encouragement to those who haven’t tried or are just starting out as a bread baker.
Enjoy!Reply
- Lisa says
I have a small machine and cut the recipe in half and made the dough in the machine only. And It’s in the oven now. It looks like it will be ok.
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- Lynne says
Lisa, I hoped it worked well for you!
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- Stefanie says
When you say ‘shortening’, is that Crisco? Or butter? Really want to try baking my own bread and this looks wonderful!
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- Lynne says
Becky, yes it is Crisco.
Thanks for asking!Reply
- Kerri says
Crisco has soy products in it, just fyi. I used good old lard and it worked perfectly.
(My grandson is allergic to soy only reason I ever looked)Reply
- Lynne says
Kerri, good point, thank you for making people aware if they do have an allergy.
Yes, my grandmother used lard in the recipe more often than she used Crisco, so you can definitely use either.
- Sylvia says
How much is in 1 package of dry yeast? (Either weight or teaspoons/tablespoons)
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- Lynne says
Sylvia, I don’t know about weight, but the package measurement comes to 2 1/4 teaspoons.
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- Sylvia says
Thanks Lynne!
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- Richard says
Actually it is 2 1/4 tsp.
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- Judy says
That’s what the Fleischman pack says too.
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- Nicole says
This is hands down the best bread recipe I have ever tried! Thank you so much! It was delicious! I’m eating the bread as I type! 🙂
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- Lynne says
Oh, Nicole, that is SO awesome to hear!!! You really made my day, girl!!
Thank you!! I am so glad you enjoyed it.Reply
- Nicole says
You’re welcome! But I should be thanking you for sharing such a wonderful recipe! 🙂 I should mention I did the whole recipe by hand because I didn’t have a large mixer and the bread was still wonderful! 🙂
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- MaryPat says
Do you think I could substitute butter for the shortening – I don’t really like using crisco. Thanks!
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- Lynne says
MaryPat, I haven’t used butter in the recipe, and from what I understand when reading differences between butter and Crisco, it will yield a different result. Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell you what that would be.
If you do make it with the butter, please let me know how it turns out – I’m interested in the result.Reply
- Nicole says
I used butter in this recipe today. It was delicious.
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- Belinda says
Crisco is not a good product to use. It is made with petroleum. Instead use what our great grandmothers used LARD. Found in Crisco isle in a box like container.
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- Chey says
Hi, Lynne! I can hardly wait to try your bread recipe. My question before I start – Do you bake one loaf at a time? It seems to be the direction, however curious that the 2nd loaf bakes up nicely too after sitting out while the first loaf bakes. …. Or am I reading the directions incorrectly …? I appreciate your expert clafification. 🙂
And… awesome photos! My mouth is now craving the taste and texture of butter slathered freshly baked bread. 🙂
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- Lynne says
Chey,
I do only bake one loaf at a time. My grandmother always did both, but I had trouble fitting them into the oven at the same time. The one loaf sat on parchment on the counter while the other was in the oven. It turned out absolutely fine, and baked just as nicely as the first.
Now I’m craving it! haha
Let me know how you enjoy them and thanks so much for your comment!Reply
- Christina says
Hello
Can you freeze this bread?Reply
- Lynne says
Christina,
I have not frozen it, but if I remember correctly my grandmother used to freeze it. It was only her and my grandfather, so two loaves were too much to eat, so she would wrap it in tin foil and place it in plastic bags.Reply
- Christina says
Thanks Lynn
Mine is baking right now!!!Reply
- Lynne says
Enjoy it! Wish I was there to smell it baking!
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- Dawn says
Made this weekend and was the best bread recipe I have ever used. YUMMY!!
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- Lynne says
Oh, Dawn, thank you so much for letting me know that. I know you have made my grandmother proud!! 🙂
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- Lynette says
Hi Lynne!
2 questions…
1. Do I let the yeast bubble and fully rise before adding the other ingredients?
2. If I’m using a KitchenAid, should I use the paddle attachment or dough hook?
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I’ll be making it as soon as I read your response!!Reply
- Lynne says
A bit delayed in my response! So sorry, Lynette!
I haven’t found that I need to let it bubble and fully rise before add thing the flour, etc.
I start out using the paddle attachment and then move to the dough hook. I just find it mixes better with the paddle in the beginning, but it’s really a matter of personal preference.Reply
- Kristine says
Yumminess!! Made this today-used margarine instead of crisco (didn’t have). Also baked both loaves at once in my convection oven. Turned out wonderfully. However the parchment paper stuck to the bottom of the loaves? Should I have greased it a bit? Only bad thing was – no bottom crust because they peeled off with the parchment paper. Made these two (quite large) loaves today, about 5 hours ago. Only 1/2 loaf left. Definitely a hit with the family!
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- Lynne says
Wow, sounds like they loved the bread, Kristine! That would make my grandmother so happy!!
Sorry about the parchment. Yes, I think greasing it beforehand would be your best best. Enjoy the next loves!Reply
- Heidi Schneider says
ABSOLUTELY THE BEST! This is bakery quality! I used a cast iron skillet to bake it in and also added ‘steam’ every five minutes for the first 15 minutes of baking using a squirt bottle to the sides of the oven walls. Thank you for sharing this recipe~I’ve searched and tried many others, this is truly the best!
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- Lynne says
Heidi, my grandmother would be THRILLED to hear you say that, THANK YOU!! It’s a recipe that I will cherish forever and I’m so happy to hear that you’ll be enjoying for a long time to come as well!
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- Lorna says
Do yo think I can make half this recipe? I don’t like frozen bread.
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- Lynne says
Lorna, I don’t think there’d be a problem cutting the recipe in half and only making the one loaf. Enjoy!
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- Monique says
I just made half the recipe and it made 2 baguettes .
Topped with sesame seeds…
Excellent! Cut 3 slices with butter for my husband,.. after finishing the 2nd slice, he asked for 1 more slice ?… and I had mine with Molasses (like I use to with my Mom after making bread… we couldn’t wait for the bread to cool) Went through 1/2 of one already! Cut the other one in half and froze them in a ziplock freezer bag. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
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- Lynne says
Oh, Monique, I love that!! Thank you so much for letting me know!! I love how you added the sesame seeds and had it with molasses. I’ll have to try that!
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- Chris says
Just baked two gorgeous loaves of this bread and it was FABULOUS! Texture and taste were spot on. Soft, slightly chewy, good “crumb” and just plain ol’ delicious!!
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I’ll be making it weekly from now on!Reply
- Lynne says
Oh, Chris, that is SO good to hear!! I know my Grandma is up there smiling from your comment. Thank you!!
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- Louise says
I don’t own a pizza stone. Now what can I use?
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- Lynne says
Louise, a regular baking sheet will work just as well. I’ve been using that since my pizza stone broke into pieces. 🙁
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- Pam Fantrazzo says
Lynne Can you use bread flour instead of all pu
rposeReply
- Lynne says
Hi Pam,
I found the easiest way to explain the difference between the two here, on Joy the Baker’s site about the difference between flours.
http://joythebaker.com/2014/05/baking-101-the-difference-between-baking-flours/
“Irene from King Arthur Flour explained it in dinner roll terms. Think about how you like your dinner rolls. Do you prefer your rolls soft and supple and tender? All-purpose flour is the way to go. If you prefer your rolls more firm, chewy, and substantial then bread flour would be your go-to bread baking flour.”
Knowing that the bread is already firm and slightly chewy with the all-purpose flour,I would stick with that. Then again, when Grandma started making this bread was there even such a thing as “bread” flour. Who knows. hahaReply
- Pam Fantrazzo says
Thanks for the reply I used the bread flour because I had it the bread came out great my family loved it next time I will use the all-purpose today I’m trying the bread sticks
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- Lynne says
That’s great to know, Pam. Thank you! Now I want to bake some bread. 😉
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- Sandra says
YES! I love everything about this recipe. I wish my grandma would have made me homemade bread. But she makes the best cookies, so I will take that! Can’t wait to try this recipe. We love homemade bread. Pinned, SU and Yummed.
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- Ruth Ann Ryan says
I liike your ‘oven rise’ method.
Our kitchen is cold during the winter.
Had a mental flash and used my electric lap blanket. It’s just a smaller version of a bed size. great for snuggling on the couch.
Anyway, I bunched it slightly and left a bowl size hollow, protected it with a towel and set my bowl to rise there on low. Have to watch it doesn’t get too hot but worked perfectly.
Where there’s a will there’s a way if you really have a craving for fresh baked.Reply
- Lynne says
That’s a great idea, too, Ruth Ann! So glad it worked out for you and hope you enjoyed the bread!
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- Tom Wren says
I am NOT a bread maker but this is the third time i am making this bread and it has turned out EVERY time. love it… Thank You so much
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- Lynne says
Oh, Tom, you made my day and I’m sure my grandmother is beaming!! Thanks so very much for letting me know.
Now you’ve got me wanting to make some!Reply
- Maryanne Homan says
Thank you for this recipe, it turned out perfect, nice and chewy with a great crumb and it froze well too. I have been looking for a good Italian bread recipe and this is it. I’m 100% second generation Italian and my Mom made the best bread which I don’t think she even follows a recipe, but I always had trouble, until now. This worked up easy and quickly. I printed this out because I never want to lose it. Thanks again, I will be making this a lot.
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- william dipanni says
This came out wonderful. I did not have shortening so I used some olive oil, plus I made it into rolls rather than the loaves. It tasted just like the bread that my Nana, who came from Sicily, used to make. I made the dough part in the bread machine that I was given 10 years ago and never even opened. In fact, this was the first loaf of bread I ever made in my 52 years on this planet. My car broke down and was stuck home with lots of cold cuts but no bread so I googled Italian bread and I like this one because it had the pan of water in oven like my Nana used when she made bread. The rolls were just perfect, not too hard and not too soft. I froze some and they taste great, not as good as warm and fresh out of oven but almost! I think they tasted best with just butter but they made great sandwich rolls. My co-worker had a piece with butter and he asked me what bakery did I get my rolls! He is a real guido and really knows his bread. He laughed at me when I told him and did not believe me. He said “seriously man, where did you buy these?” ….I told him how I made them and he was impressed as he’s known me for 20 years and cooking is not exactly what he, or anyone, can picture me doing. I have since made this recipe weekly over the last month and never buy my rolls from bakery anymore. Thanks!
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- Jack Cox says
It appears that you don’t take time to let the yeast proof. Is that correct?
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- Carolyn Wilson says
I made your recipe yesterday. Let me just say the loaves didn’t last long!! I’m making another batch today. The house is smelling wonderfully bready delicious as I write this. My family absolutely loved this bread!!! I will be making/baking this often.
Thank you for sharing!Reply
- Edith MacDougald says
Thanks so much for this recipe!
I have made this twice during the last month & everyone has raved over it…one neighbor asked me how much I would charge him to make him 2 loaves for company he was having the next day…LOL…(unfortunately, I have other plans & will not be able to)…gave him the recipe instead.
My question is:
If I divide the dough in 4 (to make 4 individual loaves instead of 2), do you have any idea as to baking time, baking 2 loaves at a time? I would prefer 4 smaller loaves rather than the 2 larger loaves.Reply
- Robin says
Excellent! The perfect blend of chewy and moist, and really easy to make. To simplify things I cut the recipe in half and baked in a Dutch oven. I heated the Dutch oven with the lid on for 30 minutes after punching down, kneading a little, and reshaping. Baked for 20 minutes covered, about 10 minutes uncovered to brown. A perfect loaf!
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- Kim says
By far THE best Italian loaf I’ve ever made! We make primarily all of our family’s bread and rarely do I find a recipe I’m happy with on first try. This is one of those rare gems. Thank you so much for sharing.
Will make again and again exactly as written.Reply
- Lynne says
Oh, Kim, you made my day!! Thank you! I’m sure my grandmother is up there smiling, too! I absolutely love this recipe not only because it tastes so darn good, but because it makes two loaves so we’ll usually make it through two weeks with the recipe. I’ll freeze one of them for the following week just like grandma did.
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- Kim says
That was my original plan, but the bread was so good the second loaf never made it to the freezer. Lol. Hungry teenagers had other plans.
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- Kimberly says
I’ve been looking for an excellent Italian crusty bread and this one is perfect. I just made it and I coudln’t be happier. Thank you!
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- Lynne says
Oh, Kimberly, that’s so good to hear. Thank you!! I’m sure my grandmother is smiling, too!
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- Susan says
Baking with yeast has always intimidated me, & I never really had time to experiment. I retired earlier this year, & bread baking was on my bucket list. I had a friend coming to dinner this evening & decided to give your Grandma’s recipe a try. It came out just wonderful! I still can’t believe I made that bread! It was definitely a hit at dinner. And I used my grandmother’s bowl (that she used for her breads) to let the bread rise. Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe!
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- Pam says
Didn’t change a thing. Absolutely perfect. The loaves are beautiful. Next time I might make one loaf with Italian seasoning sprinkled into the dough and on the top. Make it focaccia-like. Maybe. Maybe not. Just so good just the way it is. Thanks!
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- Lynne says
Ah, Pam I’m so very glad you enjoyed them. My grandmother would be thrilled! Thanks for letting me know and I love the idea of the seasonings. I don’t know if I could do it though, I’m s stickler for keeping this particular recipe just the way it is.
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- Mickey says
Love this recipe! Today is my second time making this bread. I am using KA bread flour though and have noticed that I need quite a bit more than the 8 cups called for (like 3 whole cups more!). Am I doing something incorrectly? Just seems way too wet with the 3 1/2 cups of water to 8 cups of flour. Same thing happened the first time I made it but it turned out AWESOME!
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- Anthony Lockwood says
Love this recipe so much I’ve been making bread for over a year trying to find the perfect one and this is it. Just one question. Do you cover the loaves when resting for the 40 mins before baking.
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- Lynne says
Anthony, thank you so much! I’m sure my grandmother is beaming!
I usually do cover both loaves with a clean tea towel that is light in weight, but I’ve also made the recipe where I haven’t covered them and haven’t had any issues. So you could do either.Reply
- Mac says
Hmm, not sure what I did wrong but I ended up having to put an extra ~2 cups of flour in!
8 cups of flour should be 1kg, however I ended up putting in about 1.5kgs.. I used ’00’ flour, could that be it?
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- Bill says
Lynne,
I have been baking bread for 45 years. Have had great success with everything except Crusty Italian bread until yesterday. It has been at least 15 years since I last tried to make Italian bread. I saw your Grandma’s recipe and immediately had to give it a try. I took the directions to heart and followed them to a “T”. Your decades long story said this baker was searching for the “Rest of the Story” past knead for 7 minutes for a long time. This has to work. It worked and in a big way. This bread is incredible. Thank you for this easy to make deliciousness. I finished about 9 p.m., made come dipping sauce and just had to share the other loaf, So off to the neighbors with bread and sauce. Kelly and her 3 teenagers were in heaven. Thanks to your grandma and your dedication to finding a workable ending I have a new no-fail recipe to add to my repertoire.
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- Lynne says
Bill,
I am smiling from ear to ear while reading your comment and I’m sure my grandmother is just as thrilled! It makes my heart so very happy that you enjoyed it so and then shared the second loaf with Kelly and her children. How fun! Thank you, thank you, thank you for letting me know. I have you enjoy this bread for many years to come and Im so glad you’ve had such great success with this recipe. Grandma knew what she was doing! And so much so that she didn’t need to write down the directions past the “knead for 7 minutes”! HA!
Enjoy, Bill!Reply
- esther says
Can I use coconut oil instead of shortening.
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- Lynne says
Esther, after doing a Google search, I read that you can substitute coconut oil for shortening in a 1:1 ratio. So, you can replace the amount of shortening called for in the recipe with the same amount of coconut oil. That being said, I have not ever made this Italian bread recipe without shortening, so I have no idea what or how the end result would be. If you use it, I’d be VERY interested in hearing how it turned out, so please let me know! Good luck with it!
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- Ghulam Mohyudin says
Good to know that works too! I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up great post.
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- trong rau san thuong says
I am trying this in my Bosch hoping for the best. Have you ever used fresh ground wheat berries? I’d like to try that since I have plenty on hand. Looks yummy!
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- Amy says
What size bowl is recommended to let the bread rise in? I’m really excited to try this as I love bread lol
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- Lynne says
Amy, I use a bowl that has a diameter of about 12 inches at the top. If you have a stand mixer, you be ok to use that bowl as well.
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- Elena says
This recipe, I just found by chance on FB. I looked at the ingredients, and thought I would give it a try. Oh my gosh, its the best bread I have ever made. My husband loved it, and said the same thing. Its really good. I just made it into rolls though, that’s the difference. I got twelve big rolls which could be used for a sandwich or whatever. I cannot praise it enough. Thank you so much for sharing, and I also signed up for your newsletter. God bless.
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- Lynne says
Elena, thank you so much for your feedback and letting me know. I’m so thrilled that you love the bread. It means a lot, especially since this is a recipe that I really treasure.
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- Zuleyma says
Totally delicious. I didn’t change a thing and the bread turned out fantastic. Super simple to make.
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!Reply
- Lynne says
Oh, Zuleyma, I am thrilled that you loved it so much and I’m sure my grandmother is as well! I appreciate you letting me know and wish you many happy days of bread baking in the future.
Hugs!!Reply
- Corinne says
Made this bread several times. Started baking during the pandemic and had to borrow yeast from my DIL. Recipe works great every time. Just the perfect bread for pasta, dipping, and breakfast! Love Love Love it. Freezes well. At the start of the pandemic I bought a Dutch oven because it seemed all the recipes I found called for one. I used it only once then found your recipe. I would however like to try and use it. I saw a previous reviewer managed to make a single loaf in one. Any suggestions on halving the recipe?
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- Lynne says
Oh, Corinne, I am so very happy to hear that you love this recipe so much! It is very near and dear to my heart, so I’m thrilled when people love it as much as I do.
You can easily cut this recipe in half as I’ve done it myself. All you need to do is cut all the ingredients in half and follow the instructions.
I’m interested to hear how it turns out in the Dutch oven. I have one myself, but haven’t tried it yet. Please let me know what you think!Reply
- Kathy says
Love this recipe!❤️
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- Kate says
Thanks for this recipe! Loved the story of how you found the way to finish the recipe after soany years. It makes a very tasty bread for dipping in olive oil and balsamic vinegar!
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- stefanie says
Everyone loves this bread – said it was the best I’ve made and I have made lots of bread. WIll be making again. I will probably freeze some because it’s a lot of bread, but it does keep well. Thanks so much for persevering to remake her recipe. It’s a keeper. She was too it sounds like.
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- Terri says
Thank you for the delicious recipe. This recipe makes two large loaves of tasty bread with a wonderful aroma and crumb. Has anyone tried to make one of the loaves into cinnamon bread?
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- Lynne says
Terri, thank you! I am so very glad you like it and I’m sure my grandmother is, too.
I have not made it into a cinnamon bread, but it does sound delicious. I’m curious as well to know if anyone has!Reply
- Rose says
I have never left a recipe rating before, but i Just had to this time !This was my first time baking bread,it was simply delicious !It was so easy, i was afraid i did something wrong !!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing your Grandma:s recipe…..She would be so proud
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- Gary R George says
my new go to recipe easy to make and taste fantastic.
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- Lynne says
Gary, thank you so much. This makes me so happy to hear and I’m sure my grandmother is just as happy!
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- Katie R. says
Ohhhhh myyyyyy goshhh! This.Is.It the recipe I have been searching for. I started making bread 5ish months ago and I’ve been on the hunt making loaf after loaf but never achieving that soft interior and crunchy outside. This is perfection, a little more work than the rest but man oh man WORTH IT! Muchas Gracias Abuelita 💪🏼🙏🏼
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- Lynne says
Katie, you have absolutely made my day, thank you!! I totally loved reading this and am so very happy that you loved it so much. I know my grandmother is beaming, too! ❤️
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- Annie says
Would really like to see an accurate time on this. Was looking for a quick recipe. Chose this one because it said less than hour. Completely inaccurate. Please include rise time in your recipes.
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- Lynne says
Annie, sorry about that. The recipe has been updated to include the correct times. I had included it, but forgot to hit recalculate when I added all the times, so it wasn’t included.
Thanks for letting me know!Reply
- Laurie says
The problem with this recipe is that it calls for far too much water. I believe the amount should be 2 1\2 cups, NOT 3 1/2 cups. I ended up having to use closer to 11 cups of flour because at 8 cups, it was still soup. This, of course throws off the quantities of the other ingredients. Also, the total time states 48 minutes, not taking into consideration the nearly 3 hrs of rising time. I am hoping this will turn out to be edible since, once I got all the flour added, there was no way to adjust the yeast and everything else.
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- Lynne says
Laurie, I’m sorry you had a problem with this recipe. I’ve made it countless times and I’ve never had a problem with any of the measurements. And based on the multiple comments from others who have made it, they believe the measurements are accurate as well.
Thank you for bringing the incorrect total time to my attention. I had included the rising and resting in the recipe, but didn’t recalculate it with the prep and baking, so it was omitted. It has been fixed.
I hope you’re able to give it another try and let me know how it goes.Reply
- Rita says
If using a stand mixer, how long does it need to be kneaded? Is it still the 7 minutes — the same as if hand kneading?
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- Lynne says
Rita, I’ve never kneaded dough with anything but my hands. That being said, I don’t see why you couldn’t. I would suggest using your stand mixer with a dough hook to initially combine the ingredients on low speed (setting 2) for two minutes. Then scrape down the sides of the bowl, and continue mixing for another 3-5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. When it’s been kneaded enough, the dough will be springy and shiny as well. From KitchenAid.com, “Tear off a piece of dough and stretch it between your fingers. If it tears, it fails. If it stretches and forms a translucent rectangle, it’s ready to shape into a loaf for proofing or baking.
It’s hard to over-knead dough by hand, but easy to do so by machine. Over-kneaded dough will be dense and rip easily, baking into a dense and flat loaf. If over-kneaded, you’ll want to start over.”
Hope that helps!Reply
- Mike says
Worse bread recipe ever to much water! What are you crazy as much water as flour. You made me want to never make bread again. Stupid recipe.
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- Lynne says
Mike, I appreciate your feedback. However, I can’t imagine my ingredient amounts are incorrect seeing as how I’ve made it the same way again and again and have not had any issues with the results. There have also been many comments from readers who have made it this way as well without a problem and they’ve loved it.
I’m sorry it didn’t work for you. Not sure exactly what happened. I urge you not to give up though on your bread making. If this recipe isn’t for you, then definitely try another one. I’ve been making bread for YEARS, and still have many mishaps. Keep at it!Reply
- Diane says
Maybe they forgot to add in the additional 5 cups of flour…..after the 3 1/2 water, 3 cups flour, salt, sugar and yeast!
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- Diane says
Ps…recipe works properly every time for me. Family and neighbors LOVE it! Thanks
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- Lynne says
Diane, I am SO happy to hear that! My grandmother is most likely grinning from ear to ear, too! ❤️
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- Elaine says
This looks delicious 😋
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- Taylor says
Do you think this could be made in a Dutch oven instead on a pan or stone? I’m excited to try this out!
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- Lynne says
Taylor, believe it or not, I have never baked a loaf of bread in a Dutch oven, but I don’t see why this recipe wouldn’t work with one. I’m very interested to see what you think and how it goes for you, so would love for you to report back and let me know!
Enjoy!Reply
- Brett says
I’m going to try the Duchoven next time.
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- Brett says
I mad it twice the first time I messed up.
This time I found that you need to be careful when getting the second loaf into the oven make sure you got a flat border to transfer to the oven if noticed will go flat. The first loaf look very nice. Were letting it cool and be back for an update.Reply
- Lynne says
Thanks for not giving up, Brett! I appreciate the comment and hope it worked out well for you. Sometimes baking can be challenging, but I encourage you to not give up because the results will be so very rewarding and it will fuel you to keep going. I’ve done this for many, many years and I still have days when things don’t go as I’d like them to in the kitchen. Just keep going because I really think you’ll love this recipe.
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- Alicia Sorensen says
Just made this for my husband! cant wait for him to get home and try it! The crust is amazing!
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- Lynne says
Alicia, I’m so happy to hear that, thank you! I hope you both enjoyed it. Of all the recipes on this site, my Grandmother’s Italian bread along with my mother’s Lasagna and my aunt’s Apple Cream Pie are my most cherished and sentimental.
I hope you love this bread as much as my family does.Reply
- Ji says
All i have to say is YUMMY!!! I LOVE making homemade bread and this was by far the easiest recipe!
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- Mahwash says
what’s a good replacement for shortening? i have butter and ghee
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- Lynne says
Mahwash, I would use the ghee since it has more of a fat content than butter, and you’ll use it in a 1:1 ratio, so use 1 tablespoon of ghee for the 1 tablespoon of shortening called for.
Since I’ve never used anything but shortening in this recipe, I’d love for you to report back and let me know how you liked it. Your feedback would also help others who’d like to do the same!Reply
