This is an easy recipe for delicious Italian bread. This recipe also can be used for pizza dough.

Ingredients:

2 cups bread flour

1 package dry yeast

1 cup warm water

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
2. In a measuring cup or glass bowl pour the warm water and add the yeast. You can add the sugar and salt at this point. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl add the flour (I use Bob’s Red Mill Bread flour, but you can use all-purpose flour). Pour in the activated yeast mixture and form the dough into a ball using your hands or a spatula.
4. Pour olive oil into the bowl. Flip the dough in the oil several times, then cover and let it rest in the bowl for ten minutes.
5. Work the dough onto a greased or lightly sprayed parchment-lined sheet pan and form your desired shape.
6. Top with pizza sauce, cheese or favorite toppings (if making a pizza – I used roasted vegetables), or top with dried rosemary if making a focaccia.
7. Bake for 20 minutes if you prefer a soft dough, or longer for a crisper bread.

Enjoy!