Part 6/8:
Upon completing the first rise, the dough is shaped into a round or flattop loaf, often adorned with decorative crisscrossed strings or impressions that distinguish the Panis Quadratus. The loaf is then baked at a preheated oven at around 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 40 to 45 minutes. This step is crucial as it transforms the raw dough into a crusty, fragrant loaf of bread, deeply reminiscent of those produced in ancient Roman bakeries.