Classic French Bread Recipe

Learn how to bake your own fluffy and crusty traditional French bread at home with this easy-to-follow recipe. This recipe yields two beautiful loaves that are perfect for sandwiches, bruschetta, or simply enjoying with butter. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal hands-on time, you can impress your family and friends with your baking skills. Say goodbye to store-bought bread and hello to the wonderful aroma and taste of freshly baked French bread.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups warm water

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast is foamy.
2. Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place an empty metal pan on the bottom rack.
6. Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide it into two equal portions.
7. Shape each portion into a long baguette by rolling the dough tightly from one end to the other.
8. Transfer the shaped baguettes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make diagonal slashes on the top of each loaf using a sharp knife.
9. Pour about 1 cup of hot water into the empty metal pan at the bottom of the oven to create steam.
10. Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crusty.
11. Remove from the oven and let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Interesting Facts