Here is another classic artisan bread recipe that no bread fan can say no! I have been making this recipe for years now. You will love the complex flavor and strong texture inside the loaf. However, it is not difficult to bring this together. Indeed, it is pretty easy to accomplish if you follow my tips. I only use basic ingredients.

If you have tried my other bread recipes, you must be familiar with the Biga preferment that I regularly use to make quality bread at home. In simplest terms, I mix water and flour with a pinch of dried instant yeast and let the mixture rest on the counter overnight at room temperature. The Biga creates the perfect levain (dough starter) the next day! Note that I add a small amount of butter (along with hone and turmeric) to this formula, and it turns out with golden crust as shown in the picture.

You might be wondering why the golden artisan bread comes out with superior crust and extra-ordinary flavor? The trick is simple; I reduce the liquid amount in the Biga recipe to compensate for the general level of moistness. This method allows me to add a small amount of butter the next day when making the final dough. Additionally, I increase the fermentation periods by 30 minutes. At first, it might sound complex, but it is truly not. And the final result is something that you should not miss out on if you really fancy quality bread with a beautiful crust.

What you will need:

A dutch oven or oven-safe glassware with a lid is essential for making artisan bread at home. In addition, a stand mixer or another dough kneader would make things easier for you. Note that you can knead this type of bread dough by hand. However, it takes about 8-10 minutes. Here are my top recommendations for your information:

1). For Dutch Oven: Easy Artisan Bread Kit by LoafNest

This dutch oven is a perfect bread kit that comes with a perforated non-stick liner. You can use the liner for making no-knead bread recipes. Just blend the ingredients, pour the mixture into the liner, and let it rest. Place the liner in the dutch oven and bake. It could not be simpler! It is also great for making any kind of artisan bread effortlessly at home.

2). Stand mixer with anti-splash cover by Twinzee

This item is a classic stand mixer with all the necessary attachments. It is a best-seller, and for good reason. You can prepare all kinds of different recipes with ease, including bread dough, cream, cake batter, and more. Note that it comes with an anti-splash cover, which is very helpful to keep your counter all clean. It comes with a 600-watt motor and can handle all kinds of batters and doughs. The stainless-steel bowl has a 4.5-quart capacity, which is pretty big.

Butter enriched golden artisan bread recipe

For starters, we prepare the Biga a day earlier and keep it over the counter. If it is summertime, and the weather is way too hot, then you might consider keeping it in the fridge. However, make sure you extend the fermentation process for the biga by four hours.

The next day, we prepare another dough and mix it with biga. The rest is easy; we let the dough rest and fold it occasionally (every hour). Make sure you slice the bread quickly with a sharp knife before putting it in the oven.

What makes artisan bread different?

Artisan breads are prepared with traditional methods and often go through longer fermentation periods when compared to regular toast breads. The longer fermentation process allows the baker to use a lower amount of yeast. This method improves the gluten level and also enhances the flavor of the loaf. For this reason, true artisan breads do not need any chemical additives to improve texture. Note that the artisan breads naturally have longer shelf life due to longer production processes (longer fermentation and preparation).

Is homemade artisan bread healthy?

Homemade artisan bread can only be healthier than regular bread if you use organic flour and avoid any chemical leavening. The good news is that you can achieve organic artisan bread all easily at home if you follow the traditional methods and recipes. However, you also need to use organic flour. And, if you use organic wheat flour, then you can take the health level one step further. Try, for example, sourdough bread, 100% whole wheat bread, sprouted whole grain bread, and oat & flax bread made with artisan recipes.

Is artisan bread good for weight loss?

Artisan bread can help to lose weight since its glycemic index (GI) is low. Plus, artisan bread is easier to digest since the enzymes developed during fermentation have more time to break the gluten. Additionally, most artisan breads contain high fiber additives like oats, rye, pumpkin seeds, and more. The high fiber content can also help with maintaining weight and cholesterol.