French Bread
Easy French Bread that turns out delicious every time. Golden and crispy on the outside with a soft and chewy inside. You will never buy french bread again after you make this easy recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoon dry active yeast
- 1 ⅔ cup warm water
- 1 Teaspoon sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 Teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cup bread flour
- 2-3 cup all-purpose flour
I always use Kosher salt in my kitchen! If using table salt, start with half the amount and adjust to taste, as it is much "saltier" by volume.
Instructions
- In the bowl of a mixer combine the yeast and warm water. Once the yeast has started to dissolve add in the sugar, salt and olive oil. Mix until combined.
- Add in all of the bread four and half of the all-purpose flour. Using the dough hook, begin kneading on low. Add in more flour, ¼ -½ cup at a time, making sure all of the flour is mixed in a has been kneaded for 1 minute before adding in more flour. Once the dough has enough flour, knead for 8-10 minutes or until the dough is fully developed. The dough should be shiny and elastic. Take a piece of the dough and stretch it out as far as you can, if it tears easily, knead longer. If it is really stretchy it is done.
- Lightly cover the dough in olive oil, cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubles. This may take 2 hours or longer depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
- Once the dough had doubled, turn it out onto a lightly floured or oiled surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces. Working with 1 piece of dough, flatten out into a rectangle. Gently stretch and fold the top part of the dough down to the bottom of the dough, leaving 1" of space. Using the heel of your hand seal the edge.
- Using the heel of your hand press a well (horizontally) down the middle of the dough. Fold the top over to the bottom again, using the same technique to seal the edges.
- Then gently start rolling the dough, with your hands in the middle of the loaf, using the palms of your hands to roll the dough out into a long loaf. Place the loaf, seam side down, on a parchment lined baking sheet. Make sure it is large enough for both loaves of bread to rise. Continue with the second loaf.
- Cover with a towel and let proof until doubled.
- When the dough has almost doubled, place a small pan, such as a round cake pan, in the bottom of the oven. This is for water that will produce steam. The steam helps create a good crust. Preheat the oven to 450° F.
- Once the loaves have doubled in size, score with a bread lame, place into the oven. Carefully pour 1 cup of water into the pan, close the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Check the bread by carefully picking it up and tapping the bottom of the loaf, if it sounds hollow it is done.
- Allow to fully cool before slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
This recipe makes 2 loaves of French Bread.
The above post has helpful tips for making French Bread.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!