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French Bread

French Bread

This is my favorite recipe for homemade French bread that rivals anything you'd get from the store. It's so easy to make with minimal hands-on time and just a few simple ingredients. 
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Rise time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 2 17" loaves of bread

Ingredients
  

  • 4 and ½ teaspoon active dry yeast , 2 standard packets
  • 2 cups lukewarm water
  • 2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoon salt
  • 5 cups bread flour
  • 1 egg, for egg wash

Instructions

  • In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, add the yeast, warm water, sugar, and olive oil. Let sit for a few minutes to dissolve until slightly foamy.
  • Add in the salt and bread flour and mix until a dough forms. If using a stand mixer: Knead the dough on high until it is coming off of the sides of the bowl. It should bounce back when gently pressed in. If kneading by hand: Turn the dough out onto a clean, lightly floured surface. Lightly coat your hands with flour to prevent the dough from sticking. Knead by hand until the dough bounces back when gently pressed in.
  • Form the dough into a ball and place in a bowl greased with olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  • Divide the dough in half and on a lightly floured surface use a rolling pin to roll each half out into an 8 x 17" rectangle. Use your hands to roll up each rectangle tightly into a long and skinny loaf. Crimp the edges to seal.
  • Place each loaf onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rest for 30-45 minutes.
  • Score the bread: Use a very sharp to cut several diagonal slits in the bread, going ¼" deep.
  • Egg wash: Use a pastry brush to brush each loaf with a beaten egg.
  • Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F and bake the loaves for 17-20 minutes, until the outside is hardened and golden brown.
  • Keep bread covered at room temperature and enjoy within 1-2 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 20.5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 0.9g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 0.9g | Sugar: 0.4g | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg