Essential Tools and Ingredients

 

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing Bowl & Dough Scraper: For combining and handling sticky dough.

• Kitchen Scale: Accurate measurements are key.

• Dutch Oven or Baking Stone: Helps achieve a crisp, crackly crust.

• Proofing Basket (Banneton) or Bowl Lined with Flour: For your final rise and shape.

• Sharp Knife or Lame: To score (slash) the dough so it can expand in the oven.

Basic Ingredients

1. Flour: Bread flour (high-protein) gives better structure; all‑purpose works in a pinch.

2. Water: Lukewarm for yeast breads; filtered if your tap water is very chlorinated.

3. Yeast or Sourdough Starter: Instant yeast for convenience, or a fed starter for sourdough.

4. Salt: Essential for flavor and gluten strength.

5. Optional Add‑Ins: Olive oil, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, or herbs for variety.