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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EASY FRENCH BREAD RECIPE:
Easy French Bread recipe
One of the easiest ways to make French bread at home. Nothing beats a nice slice of freshly baked bread with butter!
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!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
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!
Asiya says
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!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I hope you will try it! It's easy AND delicious! Perfect for fall soup season 🙂 Thanks, Asiya!!
Anna says
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!
Jessica says
I love homemade bread! At my house though, my husband always makes the french bread, so I actually have never tried making it! 🙂
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
It can always be a team effort 🙂 Thanks, Jessica!
Minnie@thelady8home says
Amazing!!!! Love the bread. It looks delicious!!!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
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. 🙂
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I've heared about spraying water too, but I have to say, throwing it onto the oven floor was actually fun! 🙂 Thank you, Nami!
cathy says
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.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
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!
Pam says
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!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
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
OishiiTreats says
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 🙂
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
They should make candles that smell like that! 🙂 Thank you, Neshanne!
Ramona says
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).
Ann P. says
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!! 😀