The smell of fresh bread in the oven is down right amazing. Bread can be intimidating to make but it really isn’t that difficult. This easy french bread recipe only takes about an hour so go for it!
I always like to start bread by proofing the yeast. It isn’t necessary all of the time but it proves that the yeast is good before you invest the time and ingredients into your bread. If you buy yeast in bulk, like this, its definitely a good thing to do. Learn more about proofing yeast here.
Parchment paper. If just makes baking so much easier, no sticking and easy cleanup. You could use a silpat or grease the pan if you prefer.
Allow the loaves time to rise in a warm place. About 30 minutes should be sufficient for this easy french bread. If your kitchen it on the cooler side then you might need to let it rise in the oven with the light on. Just remember to take them out before you preheat the oven!
As with all baking, make sure you allow the oven time to fully preheat. Nothing will screw up your baking like an oven that isn’t up to temperature!
Easy French Bread
Ingredients
Yeast proof
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 Tbsp yeast
Everything else
- 3 Tbsp Sugar
- 3 tsp Salt
- 1/3 cup Oil
- 2 cups warm water
- 7 cups flour
- 1 ea egg beaten
Instructions
- Combine the yeast and warm water. The water should be between 100 and 110F. Allow the yeast to proof for about 10 minutes. It should become foamy on top and grow in size.
- Add the sugar, salt, oil and 2 cups water to your mixer and stir to combine. Add in the proofed yeast and mix.
- Add 3 cups of flour and mix until incorporated.
- Add the remaining flour 1 cup at a time. Add the last cup in small portions. Stop adding flour when it becomes a dough and pulls away from the side of the bowl as its mixing.
- Split the dough into 3 pieces.
- Roll one piece out into a rectangle. about the size of a sheet of paper. It doesn't have to be exact.
- Roll the rectangle up from the long side to create a loaf. Place it on a parchment lined baking sheet with the seam down. Repeat with the other 2 pieces of dough.
- Make a couple shallow cuts across the top of the loaves. Brush with the egg wash.
- Allow the loaves to rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
- Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
[…] homemade lasagna you might as well add some freshly baked french bread to go with it! That is over here. And before you call me completely crazy, if you start with the easy french bread, let it rise and […]