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Easy Homemade Soft and Crusty French Bread

Close-up of a freshly baked french bread loaf cut in half, showing the airy, soft white crumb and golden crust.
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A simple recipe for making soft, fluffy French bread at home with a desirable crusty exterior, suitable for beginners.

Ingredients

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  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup warm water (about 105-115°F)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 egg white, beaten (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt.
  2. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  3. Pour the yeast mixture and olive oil into the flour mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
  6. Gently punch down the dough. Shape it into a long, even loaf or two smaller baguettes. Place the shaped loaf(ves) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  7. Cover the loaf loosely and let it rest for 20 minutes. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) during this rest time. Place a shallow pan on the bottom rack to create steam later.
  8. Brush the top of the loaf lightly with the beaten egg white. Use a sharp knife to make three diagonal slashes across the top of the bread.
  9. Carefully pour about 1/2 cup of hot water into the preheated shallow pan on the bottom rack to create steam. Immediately close the oven door.
  10. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200°F (93°C).
  11. Remove the bread from the oven and cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

  • For a crispier crust, spray the oven walls with water a few times during the first 10 minutes of baking.
  • If you prefer a softer crust, skip the egg white wash and simply brush the loaf with melted butter after it comes out of the oven.
  • Use warm, not hot, water for the yeast; water that is too hot will kill the yeast.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonsprout.com/easy-homemade-french-bread-recipe/