No Knead White Bread Recipe

No Knead White Bread: In a large bowl, combine the flours, yeast, malt powder (or sugar), and salt. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the water. With a bowl scraper, wooden spoon, or by hand, mix until all the flour has been moistened. (The dough will be wet and sticky.)

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit (ferment) at room temperature (about 72 degrees F (22 degrees C)) for about 12 to 16 hours (the time will depend on your room temperature - the cooler the room the longer it will take) or until the dough has doubled in size and the top of the dough has air bubbles. (The slow rise (fermentation) is what gives this bread its wonderful flavor.)

Next, turn out your dough onto a floured surface (the dough will be sticky and elastic.) You want the top of the dough to now be on the bottom. Lightly flour the top of your dough. Pat the dough into a rectangle. Take the short edge of the rectangle and fold the dough lengthwise into thirds, like you're folding a letter. (See video for demonstration.) Make sure the edges of the dough are straight and even. Next, take the top edge of the dough and fold it into the center and gently seal. Again, take the top edge of the dough and fold it over to the edge of the dough and seal. Turn the dough so the seal is now underneath. Tuck in the side edges and with the palms of your hands, gently roll the dough back and forth to seal the edges of the dough. Place on a smooth cotton cloth or parchment paper that has been sprinkled with cornmeal or flour. Cover with a cotton towel or plastic wrap that has been sprayed with a non stick vegetable spray and let proof for two hours or until almost doubled in size. (If you lightly press into the dough, your finger will leave a slight indentation.) Before baking, sprinkle the top of the bread with cornmeal or flour.

At least 45 minutes before baking the bread, preheat your oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Have the oven rack in the lower third of your oven. Place a large covered Dutch oven (cast iron) or ceramic pot on the wire rack.

When ready to bake your bread, carefully, using oven mitts, remove the preheated pot from the oven, and uncover. Very carefully, and quickly, invert the bread dough (seam side up) into the pot. Gently shake the pot to even out the dough. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the lid of the pot, and continue to bake the bread for about 10 to 20 minutes or until the crust is a deep golden brown. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely (about one hour). (If you use a probe thermometer the internal temperature of the bread should read about 210 degrees F (99 degrees C)). The bread can be covered and stored at room temperature for about 2 to 3 days, or it can be frozen.

Makes one - 1 1/2 pound (675 gram) Loaf.