Best Homemade Gluten-Free Artisan Bread

Step 1

Whisk together the flours, seeds, yeast, salt and sugar in a 5-to-6 quart bowl, or a 5 quart dutch oven, which is what I used.

Step 2

Add the water and mix with a spoon. Cover (not airtight), and allow to rest at room temperature until the dough rises, approximately 2 hours. Don’t be surprised that it doesn’t rise much. This is normal.

Step 3

The dough can be used immediately after the initial rise, though it is easier to handle when cold. Refrigerate it in a lidded (not airtight) container and use over the next 10 days. Or freeze for up to 4 weeks in 1-pound portions and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.

Step 4

Pull off a 1-pound (grapefruit size) piece of dough. Place it on a pizza peel prepared with a good amount of cornmeal or rice flour. Quickly shape it into a ball and smooth the surface pressing and smoothing with wet fingers. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 60 minutes.

Step 5

About 20 minutes into the resting period, preheat a baking stone near the middle of the oven to 450°F, with an empty metal broiler tray on any shelf that won’t interfere with the rising bread.

Step 6

After the bread is rested, make 1/2-inch-deep slashes with a wet serrated bread knife, in a pattern that you like, a cross or crescents. Shimmy loaf onto the hot stone, then quickly pour 1 cup of hot tap water into the boiler tray, and immediately close the oven door.

Step 7

Bake for 45 minutes, or until richly browned and firm. Smaller or larger loaves will require adjustments in resting and baking time. Allow loaf to fully cool on a rack before eating – this is so hard! But it’s essential in getting the best texture.