French bread, with its crisp golden crust and soft, airy interior, is a staple in French cuisine and has become beloved around the world. Baking your own French bread at home can be a rewarding experience, filling your kitchen with the aroma of fresh bread, and providing you with a delicious accompaniment to any meal.
French Bread Recipe:
Prep Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (includes rising time) Cook Time: 20 to 25 minutes Total Time: About 2 hours 45 minutes Yield: 2 loaves
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F or 45°C)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 2 teaspoons salt
- Cornmeal, for dusting
- Olive oil, for the bowl
Instructions:
- Yeast Mixture:
- In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, until frothy.
- Make the Dough:
- Add 3 cups of flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until well combined.
- Gradually add the remaining flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough:
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it to coat all sides with oil. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Shape the Loaves:
- Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into two equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a rectangle, then tightly roll up, starting from a long side, to form a loaf. Pinch the seam to seal.
- Second Rise:
- Place the loaves seam-side down on a baking sheet dusted with cornmeal. Cover and let rise again until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Prepare for Baking:
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a baking dish on the bottom rack of the oven.
- Right before baking, make several diagonal slashes on the top of each loaf with a sharp knife.
- Bake with Steam:
- Pour a cup of hot water into the baking dish to create steam. Place the baking sheet with the loaves on the middle rack.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool:
- Transfer the loaves to a wire rack to cool completely.
This classic French bread can be enjoyed in so many ways – slathered with butter, as the base for bruschetta, alongside a hearty stew, or simply as the perfect accompaniment to any meal. The crisp crust and tender crumb are the hallmarks of a well-baked loaf. There’s nothing quite like the simple pleasure of breaking into a loaf of bread that you’ve baked yourself.