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Beginner French Bread Recipe

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4.1 from 12 reviews

This Beginner French Bread recipe guides you through making a classic, crusty French loaf at home. Using simple ingredients like water, yeast, salt, sugar, olive oil, and bread flour, the dough is mixed, kneaded, and allowed to rise twice before baking to achieve a soft interior and a golden, crispy crust. Perfect for beginners, this recipe includes tips for shaping, scoring, and baking the bread to perfection.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 1 large loaf

Ingredients

Dough

  • 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
  • 1 Tablespoon instant yeast (see notes if using active dry yeast)
  • 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 ⅓ cups bread flour

Egg Wash

  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tablespoon water

Instructions

  1. Make the dough: Attach the dough hook to your stand mixer. Add the warm water, yeast, salt, sugar, olive oil, and half of the bread flour to the mixer bowl. Mix until smooth, then gradually add the remaining flour. You might not need all the flour. Let the dough rest uncovered for 15 minutes.
  2. Knead the dough: Knead on low speed with the dough hook for about 5 minutes, until the dough cleans the sides of the bowl and forms a soft, elastic ball.
  3. First rise: Transfer the dough to a large greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise until doubled in size, approximately 60 to 90 minutes.
  4. Prepare baking pan: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray a French loaf pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
  5. Shape the loaves: Punch down the risen dough onto a floured surface. Flatten it to a rectangle about 8x15 inches. Roll it lengthwise tightly, pressing out air bubbles. Pinch the seam closed and place the loaf seam-side down on the prepared pan.
  6. Second rise: Cover with a kitchen towel and allow the loaf to rise until it has increased by about 50% in size, roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F.
  7. Score and egg wash: Use a sharp knife or lame to make three diagonal score marks across the top of the loaf to help it expand while baking. Whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water and brush evenly over the loaf for a golden, shiny crust.
  8. Bake the bread: Place the loaf in the oven on the center rack. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the crust is golden and the internal temperature reaches 200°F. The bread should sound hollow when tapped.
  9. Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack. The bread continues to cook internally while cooling. Slice once fully cooled and serve.

Notes

  • If using active dry yeast instead of instant yeast, dissolve it in the warm water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy before adding to the mixer.
  • To create steam in the oven for a crispier crust, place a pan of hot water on the oven floor during baking or spray water inside the oven before baking.
  • You may need to adjust flour quantity depending on humidity and flour brand; dough should be soft but not sticky.
  • Use a bread thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 200°F to ensure it is fully baked.
  • Author: Amelia
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Find it online: https://recipesvibe.com/beginner-french-bread-recipe/