.jpg)
I love french bread! I remember going from store to store trying to find the right loaf. I’d usually come across many dry, hard loaves, even when I would go in the morning when they’d be fresh out of the oven. It turned into a challenge to find a soft, fluffy loaf until I came across a recipe that changed everything for me. I no longer need to go on a “french bread hunt” because not only is this recipe very easy, it is delicious!
The recipe only requires basic ingredients that can be found in your pantry.
- 1 1/2 tbs. yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 1/2 tbs. granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 tbs. canola oil
- 2 1/4 tsp. salt
- 6 cups flour
- Combine yeast, warm water, and sugar in a large bowl, and let sit for 10 minutes. (This step is to allow the yeast to rise. I usually have it sit in the microwave where it is covered.)
- Remove yeast mixture from microwave. In the same bowl, add 2 cups water, salt, and only 3 cups flour. Gradually add the remaining 3 cups of flour and knead the dough for a few minutes until everything is combined.
- Turn out on a floured surface, and knead the dough about 4 times within the next hour. (I knead once about every 15 minutes or so, just as long as I get to knead the dough 4 times within that hour).
- Form the dough into 3 loaves and place on a baking sheet. Slash 3 diagonal lines onto the tops of the loaves, then brush with beaten egg white. (Brushing with the egg white gives the bread a beautiful, golden color when it comes out of the oven). Allow the unbaked loaves to raise for about 30 minutes.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes, then at 375 for 20 minutes.
Keep in mind that the unbaked dough is supposed to be sticky. Don’t be tempted to add extra flour! The stickiness of the dough is what gives this french bread a delicious, soft texture.
Enjoy!
xx Jazzy
That looks delicious! I love to bake bread from scratch, but have struggled with French bread – probably because I add too much flour! I’m really looking forward to trying your recipe!
Pinned this.
Trisha recently posted..{Cloth Diaper Link Party} September 2014
your loaves look absolutely delicious!
heather recently posted..Baked Pumpkin Spice Funnel Cakes