Forktionary

Ciabatta A Old Italian Bread Recipe

Bake two loaves of this incredible, rustic Italian bread with a delightfully chewy crust and airy interior! This recipe uses a simple sponge (starter) made in just 5 minutes, ready for baking the next day. Get ready for rave reviews – this bread is so good, three loaves disappeared in less than a day and a half! Its crunchy exterior gives way to a soft, moist crumb filled with beautiful bubbly holes. Perfect served with olive tapenade, caprese salad, or enjoyed on its own. This recipe is easily adaptable – milk can be substituted with water for equally delicious results.

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 1220 mins
Calories 100.8 kcal
Protein 5g
Rating 5.0 (2 Reviews)
Ciabatta A Old Italian Bread 31

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Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Ciabatta A Old Italian Bread

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How to Make Ciabatta A Old Italian Bread

  1. **Day 1: Make the Sponge**
  2. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup (240ml) warm water, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon active dry yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
  3. Stir in 2 1/2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Cover the bowl and let the sponge rise in a cool place for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours for a more developed flavor (longer rise yields a fluffier loaf with fewer air pockets).
  5. **Day 2: Make the Dough**
  6. Add 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour to the sponge. Mix until combined.
  7. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and slightly elastic. Add more flour as needed if the dough is too sticky.
  8. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  9. Gently deflate the dough. Shape it into two oblong loaves.
  10. Place the loaves on a greased and floured baking sheet. Lightly score the tops of the loaves with a sharp knife or lame.
  11. Let the loaves rise for another 30-45 minutes.
  12. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C).
  13. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200°F (93°C).
  14. Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

9 g

Sugar

0g

Fat

1g

Carbs

6g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

European Italian Mediterranean Vegetarian Baking

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Weeknight Course Cuisine Preparation Occasion North American For Large Groups Healthy Breads Condiments Etc Australian European Low Fat Dietary Low Cholesterol Low Saturated Fat Low In Something Brunch Number Of Servings From Scratch