Print

Perfect Homemade French Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 145 reviews

This Perfect Homemade French Bread recipe guides you through creating classic, crusty French bread with a tender crumb. Using simple ingredients like yeast, flour, water, and salt, the dough is kneaded, allowed to rise, shaped into loaves, brushed with an egg wash for a beautiful golden crust, and baked to perfection. Ideal for sandwiches or alongside your favorite meals, this recipe delivers bakery-quality French bread right from your own oven.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons instant dry yeast
  • 2 cups warm water (100℉ to 110℉)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg (beaten)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 1 1/2 tablespoons instant dry yeast, 2 cups warm water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and about 4 to 4 1/2 cups of flour. Knead on slow speed until ingredients start to come together, then increase to medium speed and gradually add remaining flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and feels soft and tacky, but not sticky.
  2. First Rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased mixing bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise at room temperature until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
  3. Shape the Loaves: Divide the risen dough in half and roll each half into a large rectangle. Roll each rectangle tightly from the long edge to form a loaf. Place each loaf onto a lightly greased baking sheet or into a French bread pan. Cover and let them rise again for 30 to 45 minutes.
  4. Preheat Oven & Prepare Egg Wash: While the loaves rise, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Beat 1 large egg in a small bowl to create an egg wash.
  5. Score and Brush Loaves: Use a sharp knife to make diagonal slashes about 1/4 inch deep across the top of each loaf. Brush the tops with the beaten egg to give the crust a golden, glossy finish.
  6. Bake the Bread: Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • The exact amount of flour may vary; add gradually to achieve a soft, pliable dough that’s tacky but not sticky.
  • Ensure the water used to activate the yeast is between 100℉ and 110℉ for optimal yeast activation.
  • Letting dough rise in a warm, draft-free place will help it double properly.
  • Use a sharp serrated knife for scoring the bread to avoid dragging the dough.
  • Cooling the bread completely on a wire rack prevents sogginess from steam.

Keywords: French bread recipe, homemade French bread, crusty bread, easy bread recipe, classic French loaf, bread baking

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/perfect-homemade-french-bread-recipe/