Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups warm water (110 degrees Fahrenheit) with 3 tbsp honey. Then evenly sprinkle 2 tsp yeast on top of the water and honey. Wait until the yeast becomes slightly frothy. (About 5 minutes).

Step 2

Sift 3 cups bread flour, 2 cups all purpose flour, and 2 tsp salt into a separate bowl.

Step 3

Add the dry ingredients to the wet and combine it with a wooden spoon until well incorporated.

Step 4

Begin working into the dough with your hands. I found that stretching the dough helps incorporate the ingredients the best. Once you don’t see anymore patches of flour, stop kneading the dough.

Step 5

Place the dough into a large bowl (no grease necessary). Sprinkle a small amount of flour on top and cover the dough with a kitchen towel. Then let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour and 30 minutes. (Keep between 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit).

Step 6

After 1 hour and 30 minutes go by, deflate the dough and shape is back into a ball with your hands. Cover with a kitchen towel again and let is sit at room temperature overnight or 8 hours.

Step 7

After 8 hours have passed, deflate the dough once more and reshape it into a ball and place it back into the bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it sit in a warm place for 2 hours or until it doubles in size. To speed up this step, turn your oven onto the proof cycle and place it in your oven. If you don’t have a proof setting on your oven, turn your oven on to 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 minutes and turn it off. This should be just enough warmth to let the dough proof.

Step 8

Remove the proofed dough onto a floured surface and divide it into halves. Shape each piece of dough back into a smooth ball.

Step 9

Place it into lightly floured proofing baskets. Dust the dough with flour and cover with a kitchen towel. Let it proof in a warm place for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until it doubles in size.

Step 10

Place a cast iron or Dutch oven pot (with lid) into the oven and let it heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the oven reaches 500 degrees Fahrenheit remove the pot from the oven. Open the lid and dust the bottom of the pot with flour. Gently flip the proofed dough into the cast iron or Dutch oven pot.

Step 11

Using a sharp blade make a few decorative slits into the top of the dough. This step is optional.

Step 12

Using a spray bottle, lightly spray the bread dough with 3-4 sprays of warm water. Place the hot lid on top and bake at 430 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.

Step 13

Note: Most people place an oven safe bowl filled with water in the oven to achieve that nice bread crust; I find that lightly spraying the bread with warm water is an easier way to achieve the same results.

Step 14

Then remove the lid from the pot and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes at the same temperature.

Step 15

The moment the bread is baked, CAREFULLY remove the bread with a spatula and place it onto the cooling rack. Be very cautious as the cast iron will be extremely hot.