Easy Homemade French Bread
Crusty Outside, Tender Inside: Your Easy Homemade French Bread
There’s something incredibly satisfying about the aroma of freshly baked bread filling your home, and with this easy homemade French bread recipe, that dream becomes a delicious reality. Forget the intimidating reputation of baking; this recipe simplifies the process, allowing even novice bakers to achieve that perfect golden, crusty exterior and soft, airy interior that makes French bread so irresistible.
This isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to elevate your meals. Imagine tearing off a warm piece to dunk into a hearty soup, sopping up sauce from a delicious pasta dish, or simply enjoying it with a slather of butter. With just a few basic ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll be baking beautiful loaves that taste like they came straight from a Parisian boulangerie. Get ready to impress yourself (and everyone else!) with the simple joy of homemade French bread!
- Prep Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 1 loaf or 12 slices 1x
- Category: Bread
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (1 – 0.25 ounce packet)
- 1 1/3 c water, warmed to 110F
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 2 c bread flour
- 1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Part 1: Make the Dough
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In the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook, or a large bowl, combine the following ingredients: yeast, water, honey, bread and all-purpose flour, salt, and olive oil.
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Knead the dough for 3 minutes in the stand mixer, or for 6 minutes by hand.
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Let the dough rest for 10 minutes, then knead again for 2 minutes (or 4 minutes by hand).
Part 2: First Rise
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Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl. Spray the top of the dough with nonstick spray and cover with plastic wrap.
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Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
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Alternatively: Turn your oven on to 100°F. Once it reaches temperature, turn the oven off. Place the covered dough in the warm oven and let it rise for 30 minutes.
Part 3: Shape the Loaf
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Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Pat it into a rectangle that is roughly 9×13 inches.
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Starting from one of the long edges, roll the dough up into a tight cylinder. Pinch the seam and the ends together to seal them completely.
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Place the loaf seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Part 4: Second Rise & Scoring
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Using a bread lame, razor blade, or a very sharp knife, carefully cut six diagonal slits into the top of the bread.
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Cover the bread with plastic wrap. Let it rise for 45 minutes at room temperature, or for 20 minutes in a warm oven (using the same method as above).
Part 5: Bake the Bread
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Preheat your oven to 375°F. If the bread is in the oven, be sure to remove it before preheating!
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Brush the top and sides of the loaf with egg wash.
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Place the bread in the preheated oven. Immediately toss 4 ice cubes onto the bottom of the oven and use a water sprayer to spritz some water inside. Close the oven door quickly to trap the steam. This step is key to a crispy crust.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is a beautiful golden brown color.
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Keywords: Bread, French Bread
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