Simple and delicious French bread, fresh from your own oven.
This recipe for French bread can’t get much easier. It only takes 4 ingredients, plus some oil to brush on for baking.
To Make this Recipe You will Need:
- unbleached bread flour
- salt
- warm water
- instant yeast (If using active dry yeast, be sure to watch the video below for tips on how to use it. It is not the same as instant yeast.)
- extra virgin olive oil
- pastry brush
- French loaf pan or baking sheet
- bakers cooling rack
Watch me make this recipe in the video below:
In the video, I used active dry yeast instead of instant yeast. I also hand kneaded the dough instead of using a mixer. This video is one of my Home Ec with Constance series.
To begin, in the bowl of your stand mixer, combine bread flour, instant yeast, and salt and give them a quick stir.
Pour in warm water and mix with a dough hook. Let it run for 10-14 minutes, or until the dough springs back when pressed and stretches when pulled.
Cover the bowl with a tea towel and let the dough rise for 20 minutes.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and form two long loaves. Place them on a greased stone, baking sheet, or french loaf pan.
Now, I can’t say enough about this French loaf pan. If you have a kitchen supply nearby, and you have any intention of regularly baking long breads like this, it is a must have. I ordered mine online for a very good price. They are not expensive, but are priceless for making French bread. They sell a “triple” pan for baguettes too.
Cover the pan with a light cloth and allow to rise until double in size, about an hour.
Preheat oven to 450° (F).
Just before baking, lightly brush bread with extra virgin olive oil.
Bake 16-18 minutes, or until golden brown.
Cool the loaves on a rack.
Enjoy!
Did you Make this Recipe? I’d love for you to give me a 5 star rating in the recipe card below. If you share it on Instagram, please tag me! You can also post it to my Facebook Page.
