Easy French Bread Extra Large
Elevate your homemade bread game with this Easy French Bread Extra Large recipe, perfect for gatherings or meal prep. Crafted with simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, and olive oil, this soft and fluffy loaf boasts a crisp golden crust and a delightfully tender interior. The warm, slightly sweet aroma of fresh bread fills your kitchen as you master techniques like kneading and creating deep diagonal slashes for a stunning bakery-style finish. This recipe yields an impressively large loaf that's ideal for sharing, whether as a show-stopping centerpiece for dinner, a base for hearty sandwiches, or toasted with butter for breakfast. With just 30 minutes of prep time and beginner-friendly instructions, this recipe is the perfect way to enjoy artisan-style bread straight from your oven.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 cups All-purpose flour
- 2.5 cups Warm water (100°F - 110°F)
- 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cornmeal (for dusting)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let the mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes, until it becomes frothy and bubbly.
Add the olive oil, salt, and 3 cups of all-purpose flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until well combined.
Gradually add the remaining 3 cups of flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but pull away from the edges of the bowl.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning the dough to coat it in oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Shape the dough into one large loaf by flattening it slightly and rolling it into a log, tucking in the edges as you go.
Dust a large baking sheet with cornmeal and place the shaped loaf on the sheet. Cover with a kitchen towel and let the loaf rise for another 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Just before baking, use a sharp knife to make 3-4 deep diagonal slashes across the top of the loaf.
Optional: Lightly brush the bread with water or olive oil to enhance its crust texture.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious, extra-large French bread!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2876 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 22.2 g | 28% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.4 g | 17% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 4736 mg | 206% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 577.5 g | 210% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.6 g | 81% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.1 g | ||
| Protein | 78.7 g | 157% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 102 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 34.1 mg | 189% | |
| Potassium | 947 mg | 20% | |
*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.
