Walnut Crunchy Bread Loaf (Printable View)

A rustic bread featuring crunchy walnuts and a subtly sweet, nutty aroma for versatile enjoyment.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 1/2 cups bread flour
02 - 1 packet active dry yeast (7 g)
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
04 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar

→ Wet Ingredients

05 - 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 105°F)
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Add-ins

07 - 1 1/2 cups walnuts, roughly chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, mix the bread flour, active dry yeast, fine sea salt, and brown sugar thoroughly.
02 - Create a well in the center and pour in warm water and olive oil. Stir until the dough begins to come together.
03 - Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Gradually knead in the chopped walnuts until evenly dispersed throughout the dough.
05 - Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm area for 60 to 90 minutes until doubled in size.
06 - Deflate the dough and shape it into a round or oval loaf. Position the loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet or greased loaf pan.
07 - Cover and leave the dough to rise again for 30 to 40 minutes until it becomes puffy.
08 - Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C) during the final rise period.
09 - Make several slashes on the surface of the loaf with a sharp knife to allow steam to escape.
10 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
11 - Transfer the baked bread to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The walnuts create this beautiful, natural crunch that keeps surprising you with every bite—it's like discovering little treasures as you eat
  • Your whole house smells like a European bakery for hours, and honestly, that alone makes it worth making
  • It's impressive enough to serve guests but forgiving enough that even beginners feel like bakers
02 -
  • Toast your walnuts before adding them—it truly changes everything, turning a good bread into an unforgettable one with this deep, complex flavor
  • Don't skip the second rise; it's what makes the bread light and airy instead of dense and heavy
  • Tapping the bottom of the loaf to check for doneness is more reliable than timing alone—a hollow sound means it's baked through
03 -
  • Water temperature is everything—invest in a simple kitchen thermometer; it transforms bread baking from guesswork to precision
  • If you want to experiment, substitute half the bread flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier, heartier loaf with even more complexity

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