Easy Peasy French Bread

There are very few things better than fresh baked french bread.  Let me guess, when you’re in the grocery store, you touch the french bread displayed on a rack by the registers to see if it’s warm. If it isn’t, you feel a slight tinge of disappointment.  I had no idea until recently that french bread is so incredibly easy to make, and takes hardly any time at all.  My sister brought some of these glorious loaves to a family party and I had to have the recipe.  She got the family recipe from her friend after trying it at another party.  Keep this recipe handy, because as soon as you share the bread with your friends, they’ll need the recipe as well.

You will need: 2 ½ cups water, 2 T sugar, 2 T yeast, 1 T salt, 2 T oil, and 5 ¾ cups flour, parchment paper, baking sheet, and rolling pin.

Step 1- Pour warm water into a mixing bowl, then stir in sugar, salt, oil, yeast, and half of the flour.

 Step 2- Mix vigorously until smooth. (About 3-4 minutes.)    

Step 3- Add the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until it is incorporated into the dough.  The dough will be slightly sticky.  Let dough sit for 10 minutes then punch the dough down, Repeat 5 times.  (for a total of 50 minutes)

 Step 4-  Then turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until the dough can be handled.  

 Step 5- Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces and roll them into a rectangle about 9×12 inches.  Starting with a long side of the dough, roll the dough using a jelly roll method into a long loaf.  

 Step 6- Pinch the ends of the loaf to seal and place both loaves onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.  

 Step 7- Let the dough rise for 25 mins, then cut 3 shallow gashes at an angle across the top of each loaf.  

Step 8- Brush entire surface with a beaten egg and bake at 400°  for 18-20 mins. 

 Step 9- Place the bread onto a cooling rack until ready to serve. 

 I could eat this every night for dinner.  Yum.

The recipe makes two loaves.  If you don’t need both, you could either cut the recipe in half, or wrap one up in some parchment paper and share it with your favorite neighbor.  I’m sure you’ll quickly become their favorite neighbor too!

(s)BREAD the love! 

Print Recipe

Easy Peasy French Bread

Delicious french bread from mixer to the table in just under an hour!

Prep Time40 mins

Cook Time18 mins

Total Time58 mins

Author: Cindee

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups water
• 2 T sugar
• 2 T yeast
• 1 T salt
• 2 T oil
• 5 ¾ cups flour plus more for sprinkling countertop

Instructions

• Pour very warm water into a mixing bowl, then stir in sugar, salt, oil, yeast, and half of the flour.
• Using the paddle attachment, mix vigorously until smooth. (About 3-4 minutes)
• Switch to the dough hook and stir in the remaining flour until completely mixed. The dough will be slightly sticky. Let dough sit for 10 minutes then punch the dough down, repeat 5 times for a total of 60 minutes.
• Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until the dough can be handled.
• Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces and roll them into a rectangle about 9x12 inches. Starting with a long side of the dough, roll the dough using a jelly roll method into a long loaf.
• Pinch the ends of the loaf to seal and place both loaves onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.
• Let the dough rise for 25 mins, then cut 3 shallow gashes at an angle across the top of each loaf.
• Brush entire surface with a beaten egg and bake at 400° for 18-20 mins.
• Place the bread onto a cooling rack until ready to serve.