French Bread
French Bread is a classic crusty loaf with a chewy interior, perfect for sandwiches, garlic bread, or simply enjoying with butter. This homemade version is easy to make and delivers bakery-quality results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 egg white (optional, for glaze)
- 1 tbsp water (optional, for glaze)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add salt, olive oil, and 2 cups of flour. Mix until a soft dough forms, gradually adding more flour until dough is soft but not sticky.
- Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down dough and shape into a long loaf. Place on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Optional: whisk egg white with 1 tbsp water and brush over the loaf for a shiny crust.
- Make 3-4 diagonal slashes on top of the loaf with a sharp knife.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, place a pan of water in the oven during baking to create steam.
- You can freeze the baked loaf; just thaw and reheat in the oven before serving.
- This dough can also be shaped into rolls or braided loaves.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 loaf)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Find it online: https://ukfinda.com/french-bread/