French Bread Recipe
This simple recipe produces two delicious homemade French loaves with a soft interior and a perfectly crusty exterior, elevating your bread-making skills.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Warm Water at around 105°F. Helps activate the yeast for fluffy bread.
- 1 tablespoon Active Dry Yeast
- 2.5 teaspoons Granulated Sugar
- 5 cups All-Purpose Flour (or Bread Flour)
- 2.5 teaspoons Table Salt
- 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
- to taste Melted Salted Butter (optional)
Instructions
- Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix 2 cups of flour with salt. Stir in the yeast mixture until well-blended.
- Gradually add the remaining flour while kneading until the dough is smooth and not sticky.
- Rub olive oil around the dough ball and let it rest for 15-30 minutes to develop flavor and elasticity.
- Divide the dough in half. Roll one half into a rectangle, then form a cylinder and seal the seams tightly.
- Place the shaped loaves on a baking sheet and let them rise for 30-60 minutes until they've doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Make three diagonal cuts on top of each loaf to guide expansion while baking.
- Bake the loaves for 17-23 minutes until they turn golden brown with a crunchy crust.
- If desired, brush the loaves with melted butter for added richness. Slice and enjoy your freshly baked bread.
Notes
- Use fresh yeast for the best rise and texture, ensure water is warm but not hot, and knead thoroughly to develop gluten.
- Allow loaves to cool completely before storing.
Nutrition
Calories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSodium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g
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