Cob Loaf Recipe

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4.50 from 2 votes

This perfectly crispy crusty loaf is so easy to make.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Additional Time1 30

Total Time2 10

Course: Bread Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings: Loaf

Calories: 327kcal

Author: Laura

Ingredients

4 cups flour- 2 TBSP AP or Bread Flour work just fine
4 teaspoons yeast
2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 TBSP soft butter
1 cup+1 Tablespoon warm water
1 tsp oil

Instructions

put the flour, yeast, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer
stir them together
drop in the butter
add the warm water and stir to combine
once it comes to together as a ball of dough drizzle the oil around the edge of the bowl and let the machine knead the dough for 1-2 minutes or until a soft dough is formed
oil a bowl, plop the dough in, cover, and let rise until doubled in size
gently punch down the dough by turning the edges over on itself until a small smooth ball is created
remove from the bowl, turning it so the bottom is now on top, continue to work the dough to the underside until a smooth round loaf is achieved if you feel it's too tall gently press down on it with your full hand until you've spread the loaf out a bit
lay it on a parchment-lined baking sheet
use a pastry brush to brush the dough lightly with warm water read my notes below for the other method used to create a crispy crust
cover the loaf and let it rise again for one hour until it's doubled
pre-heat the oven to 420˚
sprinkle extra flour over the top of the bread and rub it in
use a sharp razor blade or filet knife to cut a crisscross or diamond pattern on top of the bread
slide the loaf in and bake for 30 minutes or until it's browned, smells heavenly and sounds like a drum when you thump it

Notes

To achieve a crispy crust you can put an empty roasting pan in the oven when you preheat it and throw in water once you've put the loaf into bake--this can warp a roasting pan be aware of
My new favorite way to achieve a crusty loaf is to brush it with water for the second rise warm water mixed with the warm environment of an inverted bowl makes for a crispy crust

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