1-Gathering and Mixing the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the 4 cups of unbleached all-purpose or bread flour, 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, 2 teaspoons of sugar, and 2 teaspoons of instant yeast. Pour in the 2 cups of lukewarm water and stir until the flour is fully absorbed, creating a sticky dough that holds everything together. Cover the bowl and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 2 hours, depending on your kitchen’s temperature this first rise is crucial for that soft crumb we’re after.

2-Prepping for Baking: Once the dough has doubled in size, preheat your oven to 425ºF and grease two 1-quart or 1.5-quart oven-safe bowls with about 2 tablespoons of room temperature butter. Use two forks to punch down the dough gently, then divide it into two equal portions and place each into the prepared bowls. Let it rise again for 20 to 30 minutes in a warm area until it crowns over the rim, giving you those beautiful, rounded tops.

3-Baking the Bread: Slide the bowls into the hot oven and bake for 15 minutes at 425ºF. Then, reduce the heat to 375ºF and continue baking for another 15 to 17 minutes. Keep an eye on it if the loaves look pale, pop them back in for an extra 5 minutes to get that perfect golden crust. Finally, turn the loaves out onto cooling racks and let them cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing to avoid a gummy texture.