Classic French Bread for Breadmaker
Craft bakery-quality bread right at home with this easy-to-follow Classic French Bread recipe, tailored specifically for your breadmaker. With just five simple pantry staples—water, bread flour, salt, sugar, and active dry yeast—this recipe perfectly replicates the authentic flavors and soft, chewy texture of French boulangerie-style bread. Designed to take the guesswork out of baking, this foolproof recipe utilizes your breadmaker’s French bread program for an extended rise time, resulting in a beautifully golden crust and light, airy interior. Ideal for sandwiches, soups, or an irresistible side for your favorite dinner, this fresh-baked French bread offers bakery freshness in your own kitchen with minimal effort. Perfect for busy home cooks, you’ll love how quickly this recipe comes together while letting your breadmaker do all the hard work!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Water
- 2.5 cups Bread flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons Active dry yeast
Instructions
Begin by measuring all ingredients carefully using standard measuring cups and spoons for best results.
Pour the water into the breadmaker's pan first, ensuring it is at room temperature (around 75-85°F).
Add the bread flour to the pan, spreading it evenly over the water to create a barrier between the liquids and dry ingredients.
Sprinkle the salt and sugar over the surface of the flour, being careful to keep these away from the yeast.
Make a small well in the center of the flour and add the active dry yeast. The yeast should not come into direct contact with the water at this stage.
Place the breadmaker pan into the machine and secure it properly according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Select the 'French bread' or equivalent program on your breadmaker. This program typically takes 4 hours (240 minutes) and provides a longer rise for better texture.
Choose the desired crust setting (light, medium, or dark) based on your preference.
Start the breadmaker and allow it to complete the full cycle, including mixing, kneading, rising, and baking.
Once the cycle is complete, carefully remove the breadmaker pan from the machine while wearing oven mitts, as it will be hot.
Turn the loaf out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing, usually about 30 minutes.
Slice and serve the French bread fresh or store it in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1168 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 4.9 g | 6% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.9 g | 4% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2376 mg | 103% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 243.5 g | 89% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.4 g | 34% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.1 g | ||
| Protein | 39.3 g | 79% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 63 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 14.0 mg | 78% | |
| Potassium | 408 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
