Making Italian Bread using a bread machine is super easy and efficient. Let the bread machine do the work making the dough, then just shape and bake the loaves of bread for a delicious loaf with a firm crust and dense crumb.
Course Breads
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Bread Machine Italian Bread, Italian Bread in a Bread Machine, Italian Bread Machine Recipe, Italian Bread Recipe
Place the flour, brown sugar, warm water, salt, olive oil and yeast in the pan of bread machine in the order recommended by manufacturer. Select dough setting and press start. The machine will beep when the dough cycle is complete.
To Shape The Loaves
Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Form the bread dough into two equal sized loaves and place seam side down on a large baking sheet generously sprinkled with cornmeal.
Cover the loaves with a damp towel and let rise for 40 minutes, or until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
In a small bowl, beat together egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush the risen loaves with egg mixture.
Make a single long, quick cut down the center of the loaves with a sharp knife.
Bake the Italian Bread loaves 30 minutes, or until the loaves of bread sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.