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Easy Homemade French Bread for a Soft and Crusty Loaf

Close-up of a freshly baked french bread loaf cut in half, showing the airy interior crumb and golden crust.
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You can make truly soft, fluffy French bread with a satisfyingly crusty exterior right in your kitchen. This simple, beginner-friendly recipe delivers bakery-style results perfect for dinner or sandwiches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) Active Dry Yeast
  • 1 1/4 cups Warm Water (about 105-115°F)
  • 1 tablespoon Sugar
  • 1 large Egg White, lightly beaten (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let this stand for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy. This shows the yeast is active.
  2. Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. You should feel the texture change from sticky to soft.
  4. Lightly oil a clean bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
  5. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 60 to 90 minutes, or until it has doubled in size. This first rise develops the flavor.
  6. Gently punch down the dough. Divide it into two equal pieces.
  7. Shape each piece into a loaf about 12 inches long. Place the shaped loaves onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  8. Cover the loaves loosely and let them rest for a second rise for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) during this time.
  9. Just before baking, brush the tops of the loaves lightly with the beaten egg white. Use a sharp knife to slash the tops of the loaves diagonally three times.
  10. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
  11. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy this fresh baked bread warm with butter.

Notes

  • For an extra crusty exterior, place a shallow pan of water on the bottom rack of the oven while preheating to create steam.
  • If you want a softer crust, skip the egg white wash and simply mist the loaves with water before baking.
  • This homemade French bread recipe is excellent for making simple sandwiches.

Nutrition

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