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Easy Homemade Soft and Crusty French Bread (Ready in Under 2 Hours)

A perfectly baked, round loaf of golden brown French bread with a scored top resting on a white plate.
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You will love this simple recipe for making bakery-style French bread at home. This recipe delivers a loaf with a soft, fluffy interior and a satisfyingly crusty exterior, perfect as a dinner side or for making sandwiches. It is much easier than you think to achieve this result.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 105-115°F)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for the bowl
  • 1 egg white, beaten with 1 teaspoon water (for egg wash)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy. This shows your yeast is active.
  2. Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. It should feel soft.
  4. Lightly oil a clean bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
  5. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 60 to 75 minutes, or until it has doubled in size. This is your first rise.
  6. Gently punch down the dough to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a long, even loaf, similar to a baguette shape.
  7. Place the shaped loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or on a pizza stone. Cover loosely and let it rest for a second rise for 20 minutes.
  8. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) during the last 10 minutes of the second rise. For extra crust, place a shallow pan on the bottom rack while preheating to create steam later.
  9. Brush the top of the loaf lightly with the egg white wash. Use a sharp knife to make three diagonal slashes across the top of the bread.
  10. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  11. If you used a steam pan, carefully pour 1/2 cup of hot water into the pan immediately after placing the bread in the oven, then quickly close the door.
  12. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your homemade French bread!

Notes

  • For a truly crusty exterior, make sure your oven is fully preheated and use the steam method described in step 9.
  • If you want a slightly chewier texture, use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour.
  • This soft fluffy French bread is best eaten the day it is baked, served warm with butter.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesfleet.com/easy-homemade-french-bread-recipe/