Easy French Bread is a simple yet delicious homemade bread with a crispy crust and a soft, fluffy interior. This recipe guides you through the process of making (sorta) authentic French bread with ease.
Ingredients List
- 6-7 Cups of Flour
- 2.5 Cups Warm Water (approximately 110°F)
- 3 tsp. Active Yeast
- 4 tsp. Sugar
- 4 tsp. Salt
- 1 Egg
Preparation Steps
Phase 1:
- Warm 2.5 cups of water to about 110°F.
- Place water in a mixing bowl and stir in sugar until dissolved.
- Add yeast, and wait about 20 minutes until you start to see foam. If there’s no foam, the yeast isn’t active and will not work.
Phase 2:
- Stir in 4 cups of flour and salt into the yeast mixture. Mix well.
- Gradually add an additional 2 cups of flour and mix well. If the dough is sticky, add enough flour to keep it from being sticky.
- Once the dough reaches the correct texture, cover the mixing bowl and allow the dough to rise for 30 minutes.
Phase 3:
- Roll out dough on a floured surface. Cut dough in half.
- Roll each half into a “newspaper” shape, folding edges under so that the upside is nice and smooth.
- Place both loaves on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Cover and allow to rise for about 20 minutes.
- Mix egg with 1 tbsp of water and whisk. Brush the egg wash on the loaves with a pastry brush.
- Make several diagonal relief cuts across the surface of each loaf.
- Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Properly cooked loaves will have a hollow sound when thumped on the bottom.
- Allow to cool completely before serving.
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes
Serving Information
- Makes: 2 loaves
- Serve as a side with meals, or use for sandwiches and toast.
Tips or Variations
- Experiment with adding herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough for extra flavor.
- For a crunchier crust, place a pan of water in the oven during baking to create steam.
Last Modified: 12/18/2023