Updated Boule Bread Recipe

This is a re-post of the 2-lb Boule Bread Recipe that I have updated with a better method for superior flavor and browning.

Updated again on 7-16-2021 with some minor adjustments to ingredient amounts.

For those who have been following my gluten-free bread recipes, I'm giving you another in the series.  This one is very similar to the Traditional Round Loaf recipe, but you get a larger loaf, about a 2-lb.  This recipe uses my Bread Flour mix, or the Rustic White Bread Flour blend, which are pretty simple to make.  

Gluten-free Bread Recipe - Large Round Loaf

makes one 2-lb round loaf

Mix time: 10 minutes

Rise time: 2-3 hours

Cook time: 35-45 minutes

Mix in the bowl of your stand mixer or whisk together by hand:

490g (about 2 to 2 1/4 cups) warm water, 110-120 degrees

27g whole psyllium husk (or 20g ground psyllium husk)

Add to the bowl:

375g GF bread flour (reserve an additional 75 grams for later in the recipe)

1-2 Tbsp sugar 

1 tsp yeast

Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until everything is completely combined and a sticky dough forms, firming up quite a bit, at least 5 minutes.

Let the dough rise in a warm place for an hour or two, or until it has almost doubled in bulk and a dent made with your finger stops filling in right away.  

Punch it down.

Knead in with your hands or the dough hook of your mixer:

75g flour 

8-9 g (1 1/4 tsp) salt 
1 TBSP apple cider vinegar (optional)

Knead the dough mass a few times with your hands to create a cohesive ball with the seam of your kneading tucked over on one side.  (Optional for better browning: oil the dough or spritz with water to prevent drying and for better browning.) Remove the dough to a banneton seam side up or simply place the dough ball seam side down on a piece of parchment paper.  Cover, and let rise 45 minutes to 1.5 hours in a warm place. 

While the dough is rising, place a dutch oven or a pizza stone and an oven-safe pan large enough to cover the bread in the oven and turn it on to pre-heat to 450° F for about half an hour before cooking. When the bread has risen and and a dent made with your finger stops filling in right away, gently place the dough seam-side down on your lightly floured work surface, trying not to deflate it.  Lightly flour your hands.  Gently run your hands along the sides of the dough, tucking the sides under and turning the loaf around as you go to get all edges tucked under.  The top will be more rounded than before and stretched a bit more tightly.  

When the oven is ready and the dough has been formed, score the top with a sharp blade about 1/4 inch deep in whatever pattern you want.

Carefully place the bread in the hot dutch oven or on the hot pizza stone.  Spritz the inside of the dutch oven (or the surface of the pizza stone) with water several times (careful not to spray any glass lids - they can shatter!) and cover.  Cook for 25 minutes, then uncovered on the rack until the crust has a hollow sound when tapped on top, usually another 10-15 minutes.  Remove to a cooling rack, or for a crisper crust turn off the flame and cool in the oven with the door propped open.  Let the bread cool completely for easier slicing.

Enjoy some traditional gluten-free bread!