Easy French Bread
makes 1 loaf
2 1/2-2 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 pkg(2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
1 cup warm water(120 degrees F)
In the bowl of a standing mixer, combine 2 cups flour with the salt, sugar, and yeast. Add water and beat for 3 minutes. Beat in enough additional flour to make a soft but kneadable dough.
Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead for 3-5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a bowl, cover with tea towel, and let rise 45 minutes(an hour if your house is cold).
Punch dough down and roll into a long rectangular shape. Starting from the long end, roll up jelly-roll style.
Place seam-side down on a greased baking sheet, cover with a wet tea towel, and let rise 30-45 minutes, or until doubled(it’ll depend on the warmth of your house).
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Whisk one egg white with one tablespoon of water until slightly foamy. Using a pastry brush, gently brush beaten egg white onto loaves. Using a sharp knife, make 3-4 diagonal slashes on top of the loaf.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until nicely browned. Cool on a wire rack.
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Thanks! I’m going to give it a try.
You are so cool to post these recipes/pictures! I am inspired to make a loaf of bread- either this one or that wheat bread from last week- I’ll let you know how it goes!
Thanks!
I made this bread this weekend for the first time. I had never made bread before in my life! It was easy and delicious! Thanks! I have been checking your blog everyday to see what else you put up! Thanks!
Oh, that’s wonderful, Jeanne! so glad to hear it.
Kristin, I think you are missing one line in this version of the recipe. (I got a little confused as I was doing it, and had to look online for the original…) The missing line is after the first paragraph. I think it should say:
Beat in enough additional flour to make a soft but kneadable dough.
Great recipe! I love it. Next time I’m going to try changing half a cup of flour for whole wheat. Thanks so very much for posting it!
Thank you, Barb! I got it all fixed now.
I just made this a few minutes ago and, I have to say, it’s awesome. I did do something different from the recipe though in that I sprinkled the top with a little smoked sea salt after rubbing it with olive oil before I baked it. I didn’t want/have an egg wash but it still came out fantastic.
This is so much fun. From now on, I think Fridays will be Baking days for me. Thanks.
Thanks so much for posting this. I found it through the Non-Consumer Advocate. So inexpensive and simple to make… and yummy too!
Hey Kristen! I am going to a superbowl party today and been assigned to bring a big pot a chili for the boys. I have been searching all morning for a great EASY french bread recipe to make garlic bread with. After settling for some recipes, it dawned on me that I have a great resource for this type of baking… you!!
anyway, I am going to attempt this, as it seems at about jenny-level of baking breads, lol.