How to Make Easy French Bread

One of my favorite and most easiest bread recipes I have made, would be French Bread. It it one of my favorite type of bread and also the easiest to make. So lets get straight into it, all my comments and side notes will be at the bottom!

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups warm water

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon instant yeast

3/4 tablespoon salt

2 tablespoons olive oil, canola oil or vegetable oil

5 1/2 - 6 cups all-purpose flour

1. First off, combine the water sugar and yeast.

2. After that is all mixed in well, add the salt, oil and 3 cups of flour and mix. Gradually add in 2 to 3 more cups of flour. The dough should clear the sides of the bowl and form a soft ball that doesn't leave a lot of dough residue on your fingers.

3. Knead for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Add 1/4 cup of flour at a time until a soft ball of dough forms.

4. You can use either of the rising methods, the one of 10 minute intervals with kneading for 1 minute or so and letting it rest for 10 times, or kneading it for a bit and then letting it sit on the side in a greased bowl for 1 hour.

Method 1: Leave the dough in the mixer or bowl and cover with a towel, and let the dough rest for 10 minutes. Stir it down by turning on the mixer for 10 seconds or so. Repeat cycle five more times.

Method 2: Instead of letting the dough rest for 10 minute intervals, put the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a towel or greased plastic wrap. Let it rise until doubled after an hour.

(I used Method 2)

6. Now turn the dough onto a lightly greased or floured surface and divide it in half. Form the two sections into a rectangle and roll it up from the long edge and pressing out any bubbles that can be inside with the heel of your hand. Then pinch the edge to seal it and put it on a baking sheet. Once that is done, you can use your knife or bakers lame and cut the 4 slanted gashes on the top of bread now, or you can wait until you are done to avoid deflating. Then cover the bread with plastic or the towel and let it rise again for another 30 minutes.

7. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and make sure an oven rack is in the center position. If you haven't already, with a very sharp knife or baker's lame cut several gashes at an angle on the top of each loaf. Make sure to leave a tray on the bottom to throw the ice cubes in later to create the steam for the classic crisp crust of French Bread.

8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden. Let it cool and enjoy! :)

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to drop me an email or see the contact page and I will be more than happy to help, or if you would like to share some images, let me know! Happy Baking <3