Description
Slow-cooker country bread emerges as a rustic culinary marvel, delivering golden-crusted perfection with minimal effort. Comfort meets convenience in this simple recipe that brings homemade warmth to any kitchen, inviting hearty enjoyment without complex techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Flour and Leavening Agents:
- 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour (or bread flour)
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons or 7 grams) active dry yeast
Seasonings and Sweeteners:
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Liquids and Fats:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) warm water (110°F or 43°C)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by whisking warm water, sugar, and yeast together in a spacious mixing vessel, allowing the mixture to bloom and become frothy for approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate flour, salt, and olive oil into the activated yeast mixture, gently stirring and folding until a cohesive, slightly sticky dough emerges.
- Lightly grease the interior of the crockpot’s ceramic insert with olive oil to prevent potential sticking.
- Transfer the prepared dough directly into the greased crockpot, using a spatula or your hands to spread it evenly across the bottom.
- Position the crockpot lid and set the appliance to high heat, allowing the bread to rise and bake for approximately 2 hours.
- Check the bread’s doneness by inserting a toothpick or knife into the center; it should emerge clean and the exterior should appear golden and slightly crisp.
- Carefully remove the bread from the crockpot by lifting with parchment paper or using a spatula, then transfer to a cooling rack.
- Let the bread rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow internal moisture to stabilize and prevent crumbling.
Notes
- Activate yeast precisely by using water between 100-110°F to ensure proper proofing without killing the microorganisms.
- Choose bread flour over all-purpose for higher protein content, which creates a more structured and chewy crockpot bread texture.
- Experiment with alternative flour types like whole wheat or gluten-free blends, adjusting liquid ratios to maintain dough consistency.
- Line crockpot with parchment paper for easier removal and preventing potential sticking, ensuring a clean and intact bread loaf when serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg