4.8 from 12 votes
Homemade French Bread
Making homemade French bread is a game-changer! Golden on the outside and supremely soft and tender on the inside, it will complement any meal perfectly!
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Rise Time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 2 Loaves
Calories: 1253 kcal
Course:
Bread
Cuisine:
French
Ingredients
- 2 Cups warm water
- 1 Tablespoon dry active yeast
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 ½ Teaspoons salt
- 5 Cups all-purpose flour
- 2 Teaspoons olive oil
- 1-2 Tablespoons butter Melted
Instructions
- Add the water, yeast and sugar to the bowl of a mixer and mix with a fork to combine. Set aside for 5-10 minutes, until the yeast is nice and frothy.
- Add the salt and 4 cups of the flour to the bowl. Mix on low to medium-low speed with the paddle attachment until combined. It will be pretty wet at this point. Add the remaining cup of flour ¼ cup at a time until the dough is soft and pliable, but not sticky.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 3-4 minutes by hand until smooth. Pour the olive oil into a large bowl and add the dough, turning to coat the entire thing with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
- Let the dough rise until doubled, about an hour at room temperature. You can speed up this process by setting the oven to warm or the lowest heat, typically 170℉. Place the covered bowl in the oven and drop a couple ice cubes on the bottom of the oven to create moisture. Check the dough after 20-25 minutes.
- Once doubled, split the dough into two equal portions. Roll each half into a rectangle about 9x15 inches, though it doesn’t have to be exact. Roll the dough up the long side and pinch along the seam and ends.
- Place the two rolls of dough on a large parchment lined baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to cut 4-5 slightly diagonal slashes across the tops of the dough. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for 20-30 minutes.
- While the loaves rise, preheat the oven to 400℉. When the loaves have nearly doubled in size, bake on the center rack of the oven for 18-22 minutes. If you want to create steam to add to the crispiness of the crust, toss a few ice cubes on the bottom of the oven and close the door quickly to trap it inside.
- If desired, brush the outside of the loaves with melted butter just after they come out of the oven.
- Allow to cool completely before slicing to avoid the bread turning gummy.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
1253kcal
(63%)
Carbohydrates
245g
(82%)
Protein
33g
(66%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
15mg
(5%)
Sodium
2971mg
(124%)
Potassium
356mg
(10%)
Fiber
9g
(36%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
175IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
0.01mg
(0%)
Calcium
58mg
(6%)
Iron
15mg
(83%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2Loaves
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1253
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 1253kcal | 63% |
| Carbohydrates | 245g | 82% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 15mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 2971mg | 124% |
| Potassium | 356mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 9g | 36% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 175IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 0.01mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 58mg | 6% |
| Iron | 15mg | 83% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.