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Easy French Bread Recipe

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4.2 from 13 reviews

This Easy French Bread recipe offers a simple way to bake fresh, homemade French bread with a crispy crust and soft interior. Using warm water and active dry yeast, the dough is kneaded, allowed to rise, and then baked using a steam method in the oven to achieve a perfect crust. Ideal for sandwiches or serving alongside meals, this recipe yields two loaves and requires minimal preparation time.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 2 loaves (serves 24 slices)

Ingredients

Yeast Mixture

  • 1/4 cup warm water (105-115 degrees F)
  • 1 package dry active yeast (about 2 1/4 tsp)
  • 1 tsp sugar

Dough

  • 4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water

Glaze

  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • Alternatively: olive oil and coarse salt for brushing and sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit to begin the baking preparation.
  2. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup warm water, the dry active yeast, and 1 tsp sugar. Let it stand for 5 minutes or until the mixture becomes bubbly, indicating the yeast is active.
  3. Prepare Dough Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, salt, and the remaining warm water (1 cup plus 2 tablespoons).
  4. Mix and Knead Dough: Pour in the activated yeast mixture. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and knead for about 5 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  5. First Rise: Cover the dough and allow it to rise until it doubles in size, approximately 15-20 minutes.
  6. Shape the Dough: Lightly flour your surface and roll out the dough with a rolling pin. For smaller loaves, divide the dough into two equal pieces. Roll each piece jelly-roll style, tuck the ends underneath, and place the seam side down on a greased cookie sheet.
  7. Score Loaves: Use a sharp knife to cut 3 diagonal slits, about 1/4 inch deep, into each loaf to allow for expansion during baking.
  8. Apply Glaze: Mix the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water and gently brush it over the loaves for a shiny crust. Alternatively, brush with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse salt for a more rustic finish.
  9. Prepare Steam Bath: Boil water in a pan and place it in a shallow oven-safe dish or on the lower rack of the oven to create steam, which helps develop the crust.
  10. Bake with Steam: Put the bread loaves on the oven rack above the pan of water. Immediately turn off the oven and let the bread rise and bake in the residual heat for 20 minutes.
  11. Remove Steam Pan: Carefully take out the pan of water from the oven after the initial bake.
  12. Increase Oven Temperature: Leave the bread in the oven and set the oven temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, which includes the time it takes to preheat the oven.
  13. Final Browning: If the bread has not reached a golden-brown crust after 10 minutes, reduce the oven to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until done.

Notes

  • You can divide the dough into two smaller loaves if preferred.
  • The steam from the boiling water in the oven helps develop a crisp crust typical of French bread.
  • Egg white glaze provides a shiny crust; substitute with olive oil and coarse salt for different texture and flavor.
  • Check bread color carefully during the final baking step to avoid over-browning.
  • Author: Monica
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Find it online: https://monicarecipes.com/easy-french-bread-recipe/