Easy French Bread
Master the art of homemade baking with this Easy French Bread recipe, perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. With just a handful of pantry staples—flour, yeast, sugar, and olive oil—you’ll create two golden loaves of bakery-quality bread in no time. This recipe features a simple kneading process for a soft, elastic dough and a glossy egg wash to achieve that irresistible golden crust. Ready in under 2 hours, including rising time, this light and airy bread is ideal for sandwiches, dipping in soups, or enjoying fresh with butter. Follow the straightforward steps for foolproof results every time and bring the aroma of fresh French bread right to your kitchen!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups warm water
- 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tablespoon cold water
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir and let sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
Add olive oil, salt, and 2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir well to combine.
Gradually add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly tacky but not excessively sticky.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a tea towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a long loaf, about 12 inches long.
Place the loaves on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with a clean towel, and let rise for another 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a small bowl, beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon of cold water. Brush this mixture over the tops of the loaves to create a glossy crust.
Using a sharp knife, make 3-4 diagonal slashes across the tops of the loaves.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Cool the loaves on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2162 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 19.6 g | 25% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.0 g | 15% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 4788 mg | 208% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 424.0 g | 154% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.1 g | 58% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.8 g | ||
| Protein | 62.0 g | 124% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 78 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 25.5 mg | 142% | |
| Potassium | 776 mg | 17% | |
*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.
