Rustic Cracked-Crust Bread — Soft Inside, Extra-Crispy Outside
Experience a bread with a soft, white, fluffy interior and a beautifully cracked, extra-crispy crust reminiscent of traditional country bread baked in a wood-fired oven. The ingenious crust texture is achieved by combining two types of flour with different rising properties, creating a stunning visual and delightful crunch — all easy to replicate at home.
Ideal for sandwiches or as a hearty accompaniment to any meal.
🕒 Prep & Rise Time: 1 hour + 15 minutes
🍳 Bake Time: 30 minutes
🍞 Yields: 6 rolls
🥄 Ingredients
Dough:
- 🥛 240 ml warm milk
- 💧 60 ml warm water
- 🛢️ 2 tbsp oil
- 🍬 1 tsp sugar
- 🌾 1 sachet dry yeast (about 7 g)
- 🌾 500 g all-purpose flour
- 🧂 1 tsp salt
Crust Glaze:
- 🌾 120 g rice flour
- 🌾 1/2 sachet dry yeast (approx. 4 g)
- 🍬 1 tsp sugar
- 🧂 1/4 tsp salt
- 🛢️ 1 tbsp oil
- 💧 125 ml warm water
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
- 🥣 Combine all dough ingredients in the order listed. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic. (If using a bread machine, set to dough and rise program.)
- ⏳ Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
2. Shape the Rolls
- 👐 Divide the risen dough into 6 equal portions. Shape each into a roll by gently pulling the edges underneath to create surface tension.
- 🔄 Optionally, shape 3 rolls into elongated shapes and leave 3 as round buns.
- 🛑 Cover rolls with a plastic bag and allow to rise for 15 minutes (no longer).
3. Prepare the Crust Glaze
- 🥄 Mix all crust glaze ingredients for 1 minute until a smooth batter forms that slowly drips off the whisk. Add a little water if too thick.
- ⏳ Let the glaze rest for 15 minutes (during the final dough rise).
4. Glaze and Bake
- 🍽️ Gently brush the glaze onto each roll, careful not to deflate them. Use a teaspoon and spread the glaze with your fingers. The layer should be noticeable but not too thin. (Don’t worry if they look uneven or messy at this stage.)
- 🔥 Bake at 200°C (390°F) for 30 minutes. After 10 minutes, you’ll notice the crust starting to crack beautifully.
- 🔥 If after 30 minutes the crust isn’t deeply browned, switch to grill mode for 5 minutes to achieve a golden finish.
💡 Tips
- Use rice flour in the glaze to create the signature cracked texture.
- Don’t let the rolls rise too long before glazing to maintain shape.
- Brushing the glaze gently keeps the dough from deflating.
- The cracking crust is a rustic, visual delight that adds texture and charm.
🎉 Perfect For
- Rustic sandwiches
- Breakfast or brunch bread
- Hearty meal accompaniments
📝 Final Thoughts
This rustic cracked-crust bread combines a tender, airy crumb with an eye-catching crunchy exterior. Its clever two-flour glaze method delivers a homemade artisan look without complicated techniques — perfect for elevating your baking repertoire and delighting friends and family.