Crusty Bread

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 4 cups bread flour
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. Stir together warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
3. Add 2 cups flour, oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough has pulled away from the sides of the bowl.
4. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
5. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
6. Deflate the dough, and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces, and form into round balls.
7. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets; place rolls on prepared sheets at least 2 inches apart and cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
8. Bake rolls in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 18 to 20 minutes.