I’ve only recently got into baking these last few months after losing my job and having the time to really try and learn. Most have come out pretty good so far.

I’d like to try to make everyone on my list (not many, like 10 or so people) some tasty bread for Christmas as a gift, I plan to aslo make apple butter and maybe something else to go along.

I’m just looking for ideas and tips as a beginner cooking several loaves for the first time. I don’t have a dutch oven, it’s been on my list for several Christmas’ but they’re just so expensive. So I would be using a good old oven for baking them.

I saw that putting a pan of water in the oven helps make it crispy. Anything else I can do to help with the process?

Thanks in advance for any help!