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You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Recipes / Bread

Easy French Bread

Published: Sep 19, 2012 · Modified: Jun 5, 2019 by Anna 17 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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EASY FRENCH BREAD

I love bread. Bread, rolls, baguettes, French bread, Italian bread, rustic bread, you name it. I feel almost incomplete if there are no bready carbs sitting on my counter. It's my security blanket if you wish.

The white store-bought bread is not only not attractive but tasteless to me so I try to bake my own whenever possible. I have tried many many recipes for many many different kinds of bread goodness. This Easy French Bread has a crunchy crust and it's fluffy and delicious inside. Perfection!

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More Easy Bread recipes:

English Muffin Bread

Easy Garlic Bread

The Best Homemade Pizza Dough

EASY FRENCH BREAD RECIPE:

Easy French Bread recipe

Author: Anna
One of the easiest ways to make French bread at home. Nothing beats a nice slice of freshly baked bread with butter!
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Prep Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs 55 minutes mins
Course bread
Cuisine French
Servings 2 loaves
Calories 915 kcal
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Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 c bread flour all-purpose can be substituted
  • 2 t salt
  • 2 t yeast
  • 1-½ c warm water

Instructions
 

  • In the bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Stir to combine.
  • In another bowl, whisk together 3-¾c of flour and the salt.
  • Pour the flour mixture into the yeast mixture. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, mix for 3 minutes. Dough should pull away from the sides and form a ball. Add more flour if needed.
  • Sprinkle remaining ¼c of flour on your counter. Place the dough on top and knead until smooth. Form into a ball. Place dough into a greased bowl and cover. Allow to rise in a warm place for 90 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 450. Place a large inverted baking sheet into the oven to preheat.
  • Place dough on floured surface and form into a ball. Cut the ball in half. Shaping one half at a time, spread the dough into a rectangle, then fold the rectangle inward onto itself length-wise to form a long loaf. Pinch the edges to form a seam. Turn seam-side down. Repeat with other half. Cover and let rise another 30 minutes.
  • With a sharp knife, cut shallow slits diagonally across the tops of the loaves.
  • Remove the inverted baking sheet from the oven. Carefully place your loaves onto the hot pan. Place the pan on the center rack of the oven. Bake 20-25 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 915kcal | Carbohydrates: 182g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 2335mg | Potassium: 288mg | Fiber: 7g | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2.3mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    September 21, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    I'm with you, Anna - I need fresh bread in the house at all times! 🙂 Your French bread looks like it would satisfy my carb cravings perfectly!

    Reply
  2. Asiya says

    September 21, 2012 at 11:31 am

    I LOVE baking bread and like you I feel like something is missing without those bread carbs...This looks fabulous and it being easy too is just up my alley!

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      September 21, 2012 at 8:59 pm

      I hope you will try it! It's easy AND delicious! Perfect for fall soup season 🙂 Thanks, Asiya!!

      Reply
  3. Anna says

    September 21, 2012 at 10:58 am

    This looks like perfect French bread! I always have the best intentions of making my own bread but don't do it nearly often enough. I tell myself I'll do it more when I'm home more, but who knows 🙂 Recipes like this definitely inspire me!

    Reply
  4. Jessica says

    September 20, 2012 at 8:50 am

    I love homemade bread! At my house though, my husband always makes the french bread, so I actually have never tried making it! 🙂

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      September 21, 2012 at 8:59 pm

      It can always be a team effort 🙂 Thanks, Jessica!

      Reply
  5. Minnie@thelady8home says

    September 20, 2012 at 6:52 am

    Amazing!!!! Love the bread. It looks delicious!!!

    Reply
  6. Nami | Just One Cookbook says

    September 20, 2012 at 12:45 am

    French bread! Before I started blogging I was into making french bread - and I'm not much of a baker but I love bread so much that I baked a couple of times for fun. The throwing water to the oven floor is interesting! I read somewhere that I have to spray the water (from those water spray bottle) right before closing the oven after you put the bread. I wasn't sure if those spray of water worked, but with the amount you added to the oven floor probably it gives enough steam. I need to get back to bread making one day! Your post inspired me. 🙂

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      September 21, 2012 at 8:52 pm

      I've heared about spraying water too, but I have to say, throwing it onto the oven floor was actually fun! 🙂 Thank you, Nami!

      Reply
  7. cathy says

    September 19, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    I am always making a white crusty bread. I fill a broiler pan with water and have that steam the whole time during baking, makes for a crunchy crust. I am no longer getting your email updates since your blog switch over, I have to resubscribe.

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      September 20, 2012 at 2:07 pm

      Hi Cathy! Thank you so much for letting me know. I had no idea there was an issue with e-mail updates... I am so sorry about that. I am working on fixing it! I can't wait to try your suggestion with a broiler pan. Nothing better than a homebaked bread with crunchy crust 🙂 Have a great day!

      Reply
  8. Pam says

    September 19, 2012 at 6:00 pm

    Blogger upsets me sometimes! I have no idea how many of your posts I have missed because in my blogroll on the right side bar, it shows that you haven't posted for a month. Your French bread looks great and I've never tried it but will have to now. Great job, my friend!

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      September 20, 2012 at 2:09 pm

      Sweet Pam! Since I moved my blog to WordPress, my updates won't be showing on your blogroll 🙁 The best way to stay updates is by signing up to e-mail updates, here on my new site. I truly appreciate it! Always happy to have you here, my friend! xo

      Reply
  9. OishiiTreats says

    September 19, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    That is looks delish, I love french bread and easy homemade french bread sounds even better. the best part about making bread at home is your house smelling like a bakery 🙂

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      September 21, 2012 at 9:01 pm

      They should make candles that smell like that! 🙂 Thank you, Neshanne!

      Reply
  10. Ramona says

    September 19, 2012 at 3:55 pm

    Amazing bread Anna!! I love french bread and I can actually make an entire dinner of bread and butter (something I have done in my single days).

    Reply
  11. Ann P. says

    September 19, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    Looks delicious! But that picture is almost cruel, because we ran out of bread at our house today. I guess I'll just have to make some of this!! 😀

    Reply
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Hi! I'm Anna!

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