Italian Bread Dough or Rolls

Thursday, May 6, 2010
If you're looking for Authentic crusty Italian Bread, this is it, perfect for dipping in flavored oil, with any meal, or sandwich, and it is a versatile recipe for anything that calls for Italian bread dough.

The bread recipes require around 3 hours of time for proofing and cook perfectly in around 35 minutes in any shape you like.

This is all homemade from scratch and we prefer to use bread flour because it has a higher protein count than all-purpose flour and produces a crustier crispy outer crust.

This recipe can be made all by hand or by using an industrial mixer with a dough hook attachment.

We also have used this recipe for other Italian recipes that call for bread dough like Tomato Pie an Italian staple in Central N.Y. and a delicious crust for those who love hard crust.

Scroll down to check out the easy instructions in our printable recipe card.







round bread loaf


Basic Italian Bread and Rolls



This is a great way to make homemade bread without any fuss at all.

Mix, knead, punch the dough down, shape rise it again and bake.

If you want an authentic style hard crusted Italian bread, try this recipe, it's our favorite.


collage of Italian homemade authentic bread doughs


Step By Step Italian Bread

  1. dissolve yeast in warm water (100 degrees)
  2. blend all ingredients in a bowl
  3. cover with plastic wrap, dish towel, and soup pot cover for 45 minutes
  4. punch down, rise 1 more hour covered with a wet towel
  5. shape into bread loaves, rounds, rolls, etc
  6. prepare a cornmeal-lined baking pan
  7. preheat oven to 450, shape loaves rise for 1 more hour
  8. slash in the center with a razor blade and bake for 35 minutes


collage of how to make Italian bread dough


Additional Toppings:


  1. sesame seeds
  2. caraway seeds
  3. poppy seeds
  4. fennel seeds
  5. dried herbs, asiago cheese shredded


dissolving yeast in water thats warm and bread flour added


Other Bread Shapes to Make:

  1. bagels
  2. long skinny French bread
  3. round
  4. flatbread
  5. pizza
  6. garlic bread
  7. rolls
  8. braided


hoagie rolls


Other Yeast Risen Bread to Try


Brioche Bread
Italian Homemade Breadsticks
Grandma's Italian Easter Bread

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pin for later how to make Italian bread


Italian Bread Ideas



This dough can be used for other recipes calling for bread dough.

The bread makes can be used for fried Italian Pizza FrittaWhite Pizza with Tomato Sauce, or any shaped loaves, or rolls you prefer.


loaf of Italian bread


Tips for Making Authentic Italian Bread and Rolls:


  • Water must be just warm to the wrist not hot, not cold
  • Always use active dry yeast
  • Always line whatever you are baking this bread in with cornmeal or a little semolina
  • Bread is baked when you tap in the center and it sounds hollow
  • Store bread in a paper bag to keep the crust hard
  • Ensure your bread rises in a warm place away from drafts
  • Preheat oven for around 30 minutes before baking




Italian Bread Dough and Rolls

Italian Bread Dough and Rolls
Yield: 2
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 35 MinInactive time: 3 HourTotal time: 3 H & 45 M
This is a crusty Italian homemade bread recipe that can be used for hoagie rolls and made into any shape you like!

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 2 cups lukewarm water must be 110 degrees
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 5 cups bread flour
  • 1 large egg white, beaten for the tops of the bread
  • Optional:
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Add the warm water in a large bowl with yeast, whisk together, and let it sit for around 8 to 10 minutes.
  2. Stir in the salt and the 2 tablespoons of oil.
  3. Start stirring in the flour and the dough should look shaggy.
  4. Place on a floured board and knead the dough for 5 to 8 minutes ( add more flour if needed).
  5. Oil spray a clean bowl and add the dough to the bowl.
  6. Add a piece of plastic wrap over the top, a clean dish towel, and cover, and a soup pot cover on top.
  7. Let it rise in a warm spot away from drafts for 45 minutes.
  8. Punch down the down and place back into the bowl, cover with a wet towel, and heavy lid from the soup pot and rise another hour.
  9. Shape the dough into two loaves or rolls.
  10. Note: if using a baking sheet or long loaf forms, sprinkle with cornmeal before adding the bread dough to your pan.
  11. Place in various style pans, in a dutch oven for a round loaf, and make rolls or whatever shape you prefer.
  12. Rise for 1 more hour and in the meantime preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
  13. Use a razor blade to cut the top in a crisscross formation before it goes into the oven.
  14. Add a pan of water into the oven and let it get hot.
  15. (Bake the risen bread for 10 minutes before brushing with egg if using)
  16. Bake in the preheated oven for around 35 to 40 minutes or until browned and the loaf sounds hollow when you knock on it.
  17. Cool completely on a wire rack if you can wait that long to eat it

Notes

Additional Toppings:


  1. sesame seeds
  2. caraway seeds
  3. poppy seeds
  4. fennel seeds
  5. dried herbs, asiago cheese shredded


Other Bread Shapes to Make:

  1. bagels
  2. long skinny French bread
  3. round
  4. flatbread
  5. pizza
  6. garlic bread
  7. rolls
  8. braided


Tips for Making Authentic Italian Bread and Rolls:


  • Water must be just warm to the wrist not hot, not cold
  • Always use active dry yeast
  • Always line whatever you are baking this bread in with cornmeal or a little semolina
  • Bread is baked when you tap in the center and it sounds hollow
  • Store bread in a paper bag to keep the crust hard
  • Ensure your bread rises in a warm place away from drafts
  • Preheat oven for around 30 minutes before baking


hoagie rolls, submarine rolls, bread rolls, Authentic Italian bread, crusty Italian bread, how to make Italian bread,
bread recipes, Italian bread recipes, authentic Italian bread recipes, how to make Italian bread
Italian


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pin for later bread


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Pizza Dough

Panzerotti

No Knead Bread


14 comments

  1. How cool that your mom ran a deli! Lucky you.

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  2. What a lovely post! Thankyou! Beautiful rolls!
    It is Mothers Day here tomorrow!

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  3. Wonderful well-written post. Concise and informative. Cheers!

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  4. LOL - grinders! I haven't heard that word since I was a kid. We used to have them with our friends from Mass.

    Thanks for the recipe. I can't find good sandwich rolls out here in California.

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  5. these look great, can't wait to try them. Happy Mothers' Day to you!

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  6. A beautiful post! It's great to see how the love of good cooking has been handed down to you.....
    Those rolls look so golden and crusty! I wish I was your sister!!! You were so blessed to have talented mothers in your family!!!
    Happy Mother's Day!

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  7. happy mother day,claudia!your bread is beutiful!

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  8. They look gorgeous! What a wonderful heritage to have - all the wonderful recipes. My mother was a competent cook, but never enjoyed it...

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  9. What a sweet post! I am so sure your mom is looking down on you and beaming with pride.

    These rolls look amazing! Just like what you find in an Italian deli here in NY...but probably better! I am impressed and am definitely bookmarking these.

    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

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  10. Happy Mothers Day Claudia! Great post, beautiful loaves. I so feel the same about my mom and grandma.

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  11. Mmm... homemade sandwich rolls sound fantastic!

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  12. This is a definite try for me! Your making me want an Italian sandwich! :)

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  13. Those breads look very tasty! I'm saving it down for later use. Thanks! You have a nice day, Claudia.
    Cheers, Kristy

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  14. I'm with you fresh baked bread with butter is my weakness. I used to go to my grandma's house after school when I was little and remember walking in some days to the smell of fresh baked bread. It was like heaven. I will definitely try this recipe.

    ReplyDelete

Remember to use the search option for a recipe you're looking for and thanks for all your kind words and support. We love our readers all the best Claudia