5 from 48 votes
Perfect Homemade French Bread
Perfect Homemade French Bread is a yeast-leavened loaf made from basic ingredients like flour, water, yeast, salt, and an egg wash for crust color. The dough is kneaded until pliable, allowed to rise, then shaped into loaves with diagonal slashes for classic appearance. Baking at a moderate temperature produces a crusty exterior and chewy, soft interior.
Prep Time
2 hrs
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 40 mins
Servings:
2
loaves
Calories:
1406 kcal
Course:
Bread
Cuisine:
French
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.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
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%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2 loaves
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1406
% 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.