My Favorite French Bread Recipes

MY FAVORITE FRENCH BREAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Add the water, yeast, sugar, salt, and olive oil to a large bowl. Allow mixture to stand for 5 minutes.
• Add one cup of flour, and mix to combine. Add another cup of flour and mix through. Mix by hand for 1 or 2 minutes. The dough should be the consistency of cake batter. Add another cup of flour and mix until well combined. Add flour until you can't mix it by hand very well.
• Sprinkle some flour on your table and turn the dough onto the table. Knead the dough by hand until it is smooth and elastic, adding flour as needed. This should take 6 to 10 minutes of kneading. You can also do this part in a stand mixer if you have one. The kneading is really important when it comes to making the bread really soft and tender, so don't be skimpy on this step.
• Place the dough back in the bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Gently remove the dough from the pan (no need to punch is down or squish it too much).
• Divide the dough in half. Gently roll it into a log that is 12 to 14 inches long. Place the first log on one side of a baking sheet. Use your hands to gently reshape the loaf and tuck the ends as needed. I like to tuck in the loaf with two hands right at the base of the loaf close to the pan.
• Repeat with the second loaf, and have it fit on the other side of the baking sheet.
• Cover the baking sheet with a towel, and allow to rise in a warm place for another 45 minutes or so. The dough will be puffy.
• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
• If you are using the egg wash, mix it together and gently brush it over the top of the bread. I like to use it! It makes the top shiny and the color really nice.
• Use a sharp knife to slash the top every 2 inches on a diagonal right before you put it in the oven.
• Place in the hot oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the crust is golden-brown.
• Remove from the oven, and transfer the loaves from the pan onto a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before serving warm or at room temperature.
• Store extra bread once it is fully cooled in a sealed container or plastic baggie. It makes great French toast and French bread pizza.

HOMEMADE FRENCH BREAD RECIPE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit 5 minutes, or until it begins to foam.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl, stir together 2 cups flour and salt. Stir in the yeast mixture on medium-low speed or by hand. Knead in 1/2 cup of the remaining flour in increments until the dough is smooth but not sticky. Add more flour as needed.
• Rub the olive oil around the dough ball, cover the bowl with a towel and let rest 15 to 30 minutes. If you have more time, let rise up to 1 hour.
• Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface and divide it in half. Set one half aside. Roll the other 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 loaves lightly with a towel. Let rise 30 to 60 minutes (the longer the better, if you have the time).
• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake 17 to 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 lower the temperature to 375°F.
• Brush the top with melted butter, if desired. Slice and serve while warm.

FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast and salt. Stir in 2 cups warm water, and beat until well blended using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.
• On a lightly floured surface, knead in enough flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes total. Shape into a ball. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn once. Cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled.
• Punch dough down, and divide in half. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover, and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each half into large rectangle. Roll up, starting from a long side. Moisten edge with water and seal. Taper ends.
• Grease a large baking sheet. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Place loaves, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water, and brush on. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until nearly doubled, 35 to 40 minutes.
• With a very sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across top of each loaf. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 20 minutes. Brush again with egg white mixture. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until bread tests done. If necessary, cover loosely with foil to prevent over browning. Remove from baking sheet, and cool on a wire rack.