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5.0 from 699 votes

Homemade French Bread Recipe

Soft, simple and no-fail, this homemade French bread has simple step-by-step directions and comes out perfect every time!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Rest & Rise Time
40 mins
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings: 3 loaves
Calories: 1037 kcal
Course: Bread
Cuisine: French , American

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup cornmeal
  • 2 tablespoons Rapid Rise Yeast
  • ½ cup warm water, 110–115°F
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 6 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1 egg, beaten

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle evenly with cornmeal. (Greased baking sheets work too, but we prefer the cornmeal method.)
  2. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine hot water, oil, sugar, salt, and 3 cups of flour. Mix with the paddle attachment.
  4. Add yeast mixture and mix to combine.
  5. Switch to the dough hook attachment and add the remaining 3 cups of flour 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Once all of the flour is added, let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
  6. Place dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into three pieces. Roll each piece into a 9x12-inch rectangle. Roll each rectangle up from the long edge like a jelly roll.
  7. Place each dough roll on a prepared baking sheet, seam side down.
  8. Score the bread across the top 3 or 4 times and brush each loaf with beaten egg for a crisp and shiny crust. Let dough rise, uncovered, for 30 minutes in a warm place.
  9. Toward the end of the rise, preheat the oven to 375°F.
  10. Bake on the middle rack for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

  • Store baked bread inside a plastic bag, bread box, or aluminum foil. The bread should last 2-3 days. To freeze, wrap it in parchment paper, then foil and freeze for 3 months. To reheat, thaw wrap in foil, and place in oven, preheated to 400°F, until warm.
  • Use it up. This recipe is great to serve as a slice of bread but you can use it to make other recipes, including Bruschetta, French Toast Casserole, French Toast, and Cheesy Garlic Bread.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1loaf Calories 1037kcal (52%) Carbohydrates 214g (71%) Protein 30g (60%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 0.01g Cholesterol 55mg (18%) Sodium 2363mg (98%) Potassium 357mg (10%) Fiber 9g (36%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 79IU (2%) Vitamin C 0.01mg (0%) Calcium 55mg (6%) Iron 12mg (67%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 3loaves

Amount Per Serving

Calories 1037

% Daily Value*

Serving 1loaf
Calories 1037kcal 52%
Carbohydrates 214g 71%
Protein 30g 60%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 0.01g 1%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Sodium 2363mg 98%
Potassium 357mg 8%
Fiber 9g 36%
Sugar 13g 26%
Vitamin A 79IU 2%
Vitamin C 0.01mg 0%
Calcium 55mg 6%
Iron 12mg 67%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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