French Bread

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread, and with this French bread recipe, your home will smell just like a boulangerie (aka French bakery) in no time. Whether you’re pairing this bread with a delicious homemade soup or one of these salad suppers, French bread is the perfect way make a meal hearty and special. Top it with olive oil and herbs or creamy butter.

While there are many types of French bread, this recipe makes a classic French loaf, which is wider and longer than a French baguette.

French Bread Ingredients

• Active dry yeast
• Warm water
• Salt
• Sugar
• Bread flour
• Cornmeal

Directions

Step 1: Make the dough

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Add salt, sugar and 2 cups of flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Step 2: Knead the dough

Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead it for six to eight minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about an hour.

Step 3: Form the loaves

Uncover the dough and punch it down. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide it in half. Shape the dough into two 12-inch long loaves.

Step 4: Let it rise

Place the dough seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let it rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Step 5: Prep the loaves

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Sprinkle the loaves with cornmeal. With a sharp knife or baker’s lame, make four shallow slashes across the top of each loaf.

Step 6: Bake the bread

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Brush the loaves with melted butter if you’d like.

How do you store French bread?

To store the baked bread, wrap loosely and keep at room temperature for two to three days. If the crust is getting tough, warm it up in the oven for a few minutes to freshen it.

French Bread Tips

How do you get a crispy crust on French bread?

One of the best parts of French bread is the crispy crust on the outside and the soft, fluffy insides. A trick to help you achieve this bakery-style loaf happens to be right in your freezer. When you put the bread into the oven, toss three or four ice cubes in the bottom of the oven and close the door quickly. The resulting steam ensures the crust is nice and crispy.

What’s the best way to make the cuts on French bread?

An iconic part of a French loaf is the scores on the top, which you make right before you bake. Not only do the cuts look nice, but they also help control how the bread expands. The best tool for the job is a baker’s lame, which will help you make artisan cuts.

If you don’t have a lame, you could fashion one out of a stirring stick and double edge razor blade, or use a sharp, thin knife. Be sure the knife is very thin, otherwise it could deflate the bread.