Description
French bread is a timeless classic that captivates with its crispy crust and soft, airy interior. This homemade recipe elevates simple ingredients into a warm, inviting loaf perfect for sandwiches, soups, or simply enjoyed with butter. With minimal effort, you can create bakery-quality French bread in your own kitchen. Follow these easy steps to impress your family and friends with the delightful aroma and taste of fresh-baked bread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached)
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp sugar
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, mix warm water and sugar; sprinkle yeast on top and let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix Flour and Salt: In another bowl, combine flour and salt. Gradually stir in the yeast mixture until a dough forms.
- Knead: Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let It Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm spot for about an hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape Your Loaf: Punch down the dough, shape it into a loaf, and place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Final Rise & Bake: Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes while preheating oven to 375°F. Score the top of the loaf before baking for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (50g)
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg