French Bread
This crusty chewy bread is so delicious and easy to make! Serve it up with some butter and jelly or a hot bowl of soup!
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cup warm water 100-110℉
- 2 Tbsp- active dry yeast or instant yeast
- 2 Tbsp white sugar
- 2 Tbsp olive oil or avocado oil or canola oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 5 3/4 cup bread flour or all-purpose flour
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer add water, sugar and yeast. Let sit 5 minutes to activate or until yeast starts to bubble. See note if using instant yeast.
- Add 1/2 of the flour, oil and salt and mix on low speed until it starts to come together. Add in the remaining flour a little at a time until the dough forms a ball. You may not need to use all the flour, or you may need to add a little more. The dough should feel tacky but not stick to your fingers.
- Continue to knead the dough on low speed for 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a lightly greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Place in a warm spot and let rise until the dough has doubled in size. This should take 45- 60 minutes depending on the temperature of your house.
- Once your French bread dough has risen, dump the dough onto a lightly greased countertop. Divide the dough in1/2. Pat each 1/2 into a 10 x 15 rectangle. Starting at the long end, roll the dough into a log. Turn ends under and pinch to seal. Place seam side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife score the dough diagonally.
- Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise in a warm spot until almost doubled in size, about 30 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on wire rack before slicing.
Notes
If using instant yeast you do not need to wait to activate the yeast. Just skip to step 2.
After removing from oven you can brush melted butter over bread, this will soften the crust some. So if you want a crispier crust do not brush butter on the bread.
For an extra crispy crust you can put a few ice cubes in an oven safe dish and place on rack below your bread.
Nutrition
Serving: 1slicesCalories: 126kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 4gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 195mgPotassium: 42mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 0.004mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!