Perfect Homemade French Bread
User Reviews
5
Perfect Homemade French Bread
Description
This traditional French bread starts by mixing instant dry yeast with warm water, salt, and flour to form a tacky but not sticky dough. Kneading develops gluten, giving the bread its characteristic texture. The dough is covered and left to rise until doubled, developing flavor and volume.
After the first rise, the dough is divided and shaped into rectangles, then rolled tightly to form loaves. A second rise allows the bread to puff up, ensuring a light crumb. Diagonal slashes on top give the bread its iconic look and allow steam to escape during baking.
Baking at 375°F yields a loaf with a golden brown crust and tender crumb inside. The egg wash adds a glossy finish. This French bread serves well for sandwiches, as toast, or alongside soups and salads.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons instant dry yeast
- 2 cups water 100℉ to 110℉, warm
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg beaten
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add 1 1/2 tablespoons instant dry yeast, 2 cups warm water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and about 4 to 4 1/2 cups of flour. Knead on a slow speed until the flour has started to combine. Increase speed to medium and gradually add in remaining flour, just until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. The exact amount of flour you need varies based on a variety of factors. You should have a soft pliable dough that is tacky, but not sticky to the touch.
- Transfer to a lightly greased mixing bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise until double in size, about 1 hour.
- Divide dough in half. Roll each half into a large rectangle. Roll up tightly from the long end. Place onto a lightly greased baking sheet or into a French bread pan. Cover and let rise 30 to 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees and use a fork or whisk to beat 1 large egg in a small bowl.
- Use a sharp knife to cut diagonal slashes on the top of each bread loaf, about 1/4 inch deep. Brush loaves with beaten egg.
- Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2loaves
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1406 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 1406kcal | 70% |
| Carbohydrates | 287g | 96% |
| Protein | 42g | 84% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 81mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 1796mg | 75% |
| Potassium | 460mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 10g | 40% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 120IU | 2% |
| Calcium | 76mg | 8% |
| Iron | 17.8mg | 99% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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