With only 20 minutes of prep time, this Ultimate Homemade French Bread Recipe is sure to be a new favorite! Soft bread with a flaky crust is a must-try.
One thing is for sure, no matter what diet I am on I will always love bread! Who can blame me? It’s truly irrisistible.
This easy French bread recipe goes well with soups like my Homemade Chicken Soup with Chili and Lime, steak, or any other main dish.
🥖 Ingredients
- Active Dry Yeast
- Sugar
- Water (warm)
- All-purpose Flour
- Salt
- Egg White
- Cornmeal
🧂 Directions
1. Add the packets of yeast to 1 teaspoon of sugar in 1/2 cup of warm water. Let it set for 10 minutes or until it becomes foamy.
2. Using a different bowl, mix together 2 cups of lukewarm water along with 1 tablespoon of salt. Add in 2 cups of flour.
3. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and blend. Then add in 4 – 4 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour. The dough should be soft.
4. Put the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Cover it with a towel and let rest for 10 minutes.
5. Using your hands, knead the bread dough until it is smooth and elastic. This takes around 7-10 minutes. Add in the rest of the flour as you are kneading the dough.
6. Put the dough into a bowl that has been greased. Turn the dough so the grease lightly coats it.
7. Cover the bowl and let the dough rasie until it has doubled. This typically takes around 1 – 1 1/2 hours.
8. Using your hands, punch down the dough onto a surface that has been lightly floured.
9. Divide the dough into two pieces. Cover the dough again and let it rest for 10 minutes.
10. Form each portion of dough into a 15 x 12″ rectangle, then roll it tightly starting at the long end. Seal it well and taper the ends.
11. Put the loaves seam side down on a baking sheet that has been greased and sprinkled with cornstarch.
12. Take a sharp knife and make cuts every 2 1/2 inches. The cut should be around 1/4 inch deep.
13. Put an egg white in a small bowl and beat until it becomes foamy. Then add in 1 tablespoon of water.
14. Use a basting brush and brush the egg was onto the loaves of bread.
15. Cover the bread dough with by putting classes upside down and putting a damp cloth on them. This will keep the towel from touching the dough. Let the loaves double in size. This takes around 1 1/2 hours. Turn on the oven to 375 degrees towards the end of the time it’s doubling.
16. Put the bread in the oven for 20 minutes or until it’s golden brown.
17. Add the egg wash over the bread again and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
NOTE: If the bread seems to be cooking too fast on the outside, cover it softly with a piece of aluminum foil.
18. Take the homemade french bread out of the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
⏲️ Storage
Keep the homemade French bread in an airtight container for 2-4 days. It should be kept at room temperature for best results. Make sure it’s away from overly cold or hot spots because both will cause the bread to dry out or become super moist.
📌 FAQs
Why do I have to let the yeast sit with water and sugar?
The reason you do this is to activate the yeast. If you try to rush the process, your bread may not rise properly and it could also end up super dense and not fluffy.
When should I serve French bread?
We seriously eat bread with almost all of our meals. We love to serve it with any homecooked meal along with a fresh side salad. Pasta, soups, steaks, grilled chicken, fish, and toast are just a few ideas to consider.
📔 Helpful Supplies
Take a look at some of my favorite kitchen utensils and gadgets for this easy french bread recipe.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Related Recipes
- The Best Ever Instant Pot Chicken Pasta With Broccoli
- 65+ Best Easy Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
- Best Easy Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
💖💖💖 If you tried this recipe or any other, please leave us 5 Stars in the recipe card below. Show us some love and stay connected by joining my newsletter below. Check us out on Facebook or join my Facebook Group for fun giveaways. Also, be sure to follow me on Pinterest too!
Ultimate Homemade French Bread Recipe
This incredible Homemade French Bread Recipe is the best side dish and comfort food ever.
Ingredients
- 2 packages Active dry yeast
- ½ cup Water (warm)
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 7½ cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Salt
- 2 C warm (warm)
- 1 Egg white
- ½ cup Cornmeal
Instructions
1. Add the packets of yeast to 1 teaspoon of sugar in 1/2 cup of warm water. Let it set for 10 minutes or until it becomes foamy.
2. Using a different bowl, mix together 2 cups of lukewarm water along with 1 tablespoon of salt. Add in 2 cups of flour.
3. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and blend. Then add in 4 - 4 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour. The dough should be soft.
4. Put the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Cover it with a towel and let rest for 10 minutes.
5. Using your hands, knead the bread dough until it is smooth and elastic. This takes around 7-10 minutes. Add in the rest of the flour as you are kneading the dough.
6. Put the dough into a bowl that has been greased. Turn the dough so the grease lightly coats it.
7. Cover the bowl and let the dough rasie until it has doubled. This typically takes around 1 - 1 1/2 hours.
8. Using your hands, punch down the dough onto a surface that has been lightly floured.
9. Divide the dough into two pieces. Cover the dough again and let it rest for 10 minutes.
10. Form each portion of dough into a 15 x 12" rectangle, then roll it tightly starting at the long end. Seal it well and taper the ends.
11. Put the loaves seam side down on a baking sheet that has been greased and sprinkled with cornstarch.
12. Take a sharp knife and make cuts every 2 1/2 inches. The cut should be around 1/4 inch deep.
13. Put an egg white in a small bowl and beat until it becomes foamy. Then add in 1 tablespoon of water.
14. Use a basting brush and brush the egg was onto the loaves of bread.
15. Cover the bread dough with by putting classes upside down and putting a damp cloth on them. This will keep the towel from touching the dough. Let the loaves double in size. This takes around 1 1/2 hours. Turn on the oven to 375 degrees towards the end of the time it's doubling.
16. Put the bread in the oven for 20 minutes or until it's golden brown.
17. Add the egg wash over the bread again and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
NOTE: If the bread seems to be cooking too fast on the outside, cover it softly with a piece of aluminum foil.
18. Take the homemade french bread out of the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Rwm Basting Brush - Grilling BBQ Baking, Pastry, and Oil Stainless Steel Brushes with Back up Silicone Brush Heads(Orange) for Kitchen Cooking & Marinating, Dishwasher Safe -
Ultra Cuisine 100% Stainless Steel Wire Cooling Rack for Baking fits Half Sheet Pans Cool Cookies, Cakes, Breads - Oven Safe for Cooking, Roasting, Grilling - Heavy Duty Commercial Quality -
AVACRAFT 18/10 Top Rated Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids, non slip silicone base bowls with Handle, Mixing Bowl Set with Pour Spouts & Measurement Marks, Home Essentials Cooking Bowls, (Black)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 231Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 403mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 2gSugar: 0gProtein: 7g
I'm not a dietician, these numbers can change based on the actual ingredients used. They are here as a guide to help you.
