French Bread
This homemade French Bread is crusty on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside—perfect for any meal. Whether you’re serving it with soup, making sandwiches, or enjoying it with butter, this bread is a must-try!
French Bread
Homemade French bread made with simple ingredients. A little kneading and patience give you golden loaves with crispy crusts and soft, chewy interiors. Ready in just under two hours!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups warm water (110°F to 115°F)
- 2 Tablespoons active dry yeast
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon salt
- 1/3 cup oil
- 6 1/2-7 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 Tablespoon water
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 3-5 minutes or until it becomes bubbly.Add the vinegar, salt, oil, and flour, one cup at a time, until dough begins to form. Knead on medium speed for about 10 minutes.Place dough into a greased bowl and let it rise, covered, for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size. Punch dough down and let rise again for another 30 minutes.Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and sprinkle a thin layer of cornmeal over it. Punch down the dough again and divide it into 2 sections.Roll the dough into long, French bread shapes and place onto the prepared cookie sheet. Slash the tops of the loaves diagonally with a sharp knife.Combine the egg and water together and brush it over the tops of the bread loaves to create a shiny, golden crust.Allow the dough to rise again for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375°F, then bake the loaves for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and crusty.
Notes
- You can make the bread a little softer by reducing the baking time or increasing the water content slightly.
- For a shinier crust, add an additional egg wash before the second rise.
- Make sure to slash the tops of the loaves to allow the bread to expand properly as it bakes.
