Description
This Homemade French Bread recipe yields a classic loaf with a golden crust and a soft, airy crumb. Perfect for sandwiches, dipping in soup, or simply enjoying with butter.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups warm water (about 105°F)
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 2 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 5 cups (650 g) all-purpose flour (or bread flour), add more as needed
- 2 1/2 teaspoons table salt or fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Melted salted butter (optional)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Mix Dough: In a stand mixer or large bowl, combine 2 cups flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and mix. Gradually add remaining flour until dough is smooth but not sticky.
- First Rise: Rub olive oil over the dough, cover the bowl, and let rest for 15-30 minutes (or up to 1 hour).
- Shape Loaves: Divide dough in half. Roll each half into a rectangle and then a cylinder. Tuck in the ends, round the edges, and place on a baking sheet. Make diagonal cuts on top, cover, and let rise for 30-60 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake loaves for 17-23 minutes, or until golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
- Serve: Brush with melted butter (optional) and serve warm.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, brush with egg white wash before baking or add ice cubes to the oven.
- Store bread in a brown paper bag at room temperature.
- Freeze baked and cooled loaves in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg