Description
Crusty French bread emerges from home ovens with golden-brown perfection and irresistible aroma. Simple ingredients and classic techniques create a rustic loaf that transports diners straight to Parisian bakery shelves.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups (500 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) warm water
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons / 7 grams) active dry yeast
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
Optional Finishing:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) water
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by combining warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small container, allowing the mixture to bloom and become frothy for approximately 5-10 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt, creating a well in the center for the liquid ingredients.
- Pour the activated yeast mixture into the flour well, incorporating the liquid gradually to form a shaggy dough.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes, developing gluten and creating a smooth, elastic texture.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, covering it with a damp cloth to prevent surface drying during the first rise.
- Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles in size, typically taking 60-90 minutes.
- Gently deflate the risen dough, reshaping it into a long, slender loaf on a baking sheet.
- Make diagonal slashes across the top of the loaf to allow steam escape and create traditional French bread appearance.
- Let the shaped loaf undergo a second rise for 30-45 minutes, allowing it to become puffy and light.
- Preheat the oven to a high temperature, placing a shallow pan of water on the bottom rack to create steam.
- Bake the bread until golden brown and crusty, with a hollow sound when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack, allowing the crust to crisp and interior to set.
Notes
- Activate yeast properly by using lukewarm water between 100-110°F, which helps ensure the yeast becomes bubbly and active without killing it.
- For gluten-free variations, replace wheat flour with a blend of gluten-free flour mix and add xanthan gum to improve texture and binding.
- Allow dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area like inside a turned-off oven with the light on to maintain consistent temperature and promote optimal fermentation.
- Use a spray bottle with water to create steam in the oven during baking, which helps develop a crispy, golden-brown crust characteristic of authentic French bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg