Homemade Bakery French Bread
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
45 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
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Servings
8
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Cuisine
American
Homemade Bakery French Bread
Description
This French bread recipe starts by proofing yeast in warm water, then mixing hot water, sugar, salt, oil, and flour to form a dough. The flour is gradually added until the dough pulls away from the bowl, then rested briefly. The dough is divided into three sections, rolled into rectangles, and shaped into loaves with jelly-roll style rolling for a traditional loaf shape.
After placing the loaves on greased pans and scoring the tops diagonally, a beaten egg brush is applied to promote a shiny, golden crust. The loaves rise uncovered for 30-40 minutes before baking at 375°F for 18-22 minutes until deep golden and baked through.
The resulting bread has a slightly sweet, rich flavor and a chewy crumb typical of French bread. It is suitable for slicing for sandwiches or serving warm with butter or soup.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons yeast
- 1/2 cup water warm
- 2 cups water hot
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/3 cup neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 6 1/2 cups flour
- 1 egg for brushing on bread
Instructions
- In a small bowl, dissolve your yeast in ½ cup warm water. Make sure that your water is warm (not too cold, not too hot). Let proof for 10 minutes.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine hot water, sugar, salt, oil and 3 cups of the flour and mix together. Add the yeast mixture to a bowl.
- Add the remaining 3 1/2 cups of flour, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Watch for it to start pulling away from the bowl to know it's ready. Once all of the flour is added, let sit for 10 minutes.
- Separate your dough into 3 pieces. On a floured surface roll each piece into a 9x12 rectangle. Roll it up like a jelly roll. Shape into a french bread loaf and smooth out edges.
- Place the dough on a greased baking pan or a Silpat, seam side down. Using a knife, make 3-4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch thick in bread. Brush with your beaten egg.
- Let dough rise uncovered for 30-40 minutes in a warm place.
- Bake at 375 for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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