Fresh, hot French Bread is sooo much better than the store-bought stuff and can be on the table in 90 min! Instead of being dry and airy, this bread is fluffy and moist. It's pretty easy as far as yeast breads go and only requires letting it rise for a fraction of the time that some breads do. This recipe makes 2 loaves so if you only need one, you can use one now and freeze the other one for later. Or just halve the recipe to get one loaf.
modified from I Heart Nap Time
2 cups warm water (about 105°F)
1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
1 TBSP granulated sugar
5-6 cups all-purpose flour
1 TBSP salt
1 teaspoon oil
Instructions:
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes, or until it has begin to foam.
Place 2 cups of flour into a large mixing bowl with the salt. Stir in the yeast mixture and begin to knead by hand or using a dough hook and stand mixer. Add 1/2 cup of the remaining flour at a time until the dough is smooth but not sticky. Rub the olive oil around the dough ball, cover the bowl with a towel and let rest for 15 to 30 minutes. If you have more time, let it rise up to an hour.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and divide it in half. Roll one half into a rectangle (about 15 inches). Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a cylinder.
Turn both ends in and pinch the seams closed. Round the edges and place onto a baking sheet. Repeat with the second dough ball. Make three diagonal cuts across the top of each loaf. Cover loves lightly with a towel, or greased plastid wrap. Let rise for 30-60 minutes (the longer the better if you have the time).
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake for 17-23 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. When you knock on it, it should sound hollow. If it's browning too fast, lightly cover with foil and turn down the temperature to 375°F.
Brush the top with melted butter if desired. Slice and enjoy! :)
Notes:
Crispy crust: I prefer a soft crust, but for a crispier/shinier crust, brush 1 egg white (whisked) with a teaspoon of water before baking french bread loaf. You can also add a few ice cubes into the oven to help trap the steam and add a few minutes onto the cooking time.
I usually freeze one loaf, then when I thaw it out on the counter then bake it in the oven for 5-10 minutes until it is nice and warm and fragrant. It's like it just came out of the oven for the first time!
Comments