How to Make Rustic Pane Francese

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil offers a similar flavor with healthy fats.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is dairy-free and adds a subtle flavor.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk is lower in calories and adds moisture.

flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: all-purpose flour

Whole wheat flour increases fiber content.

Make a sponge by mixing 1/2 cup room temperature water, 2/3 cup bread flour, and 1/8 teaspoon rapid rise yeast. Let sit at room temperature for at least 6 hours.

After 6 hours, loosen the sponge with 1 and 1/4 cups room temperature water and mix until incorporated.

In a mixer, combine 2 and 2/3 cups bread flour and 1 and 1/2 teaspoons rapid rise yeast. Whisk together.

Add the sponge mixture gradually to the flour mixture in the mixer and mix on low until it forms a cone of mass, about 2 minutes.

Let the dough rest for 20 minutes (autolyse).

After 20 minutes, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 and 1/4 teaspoons salt to the dough and mix on medium low for about 5 minutes until smooth.

Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise for about 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, perform a series of folds by picking up the dough and bringing it to the center, rotating the bowl 45 degrees each time, for a total of 8 times. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.

Repeat the folding process again and let rise for 1 to 1.5 hours until nearly doubled in size.

Shape the dough into a long loaf using a baker's couche for support, flouring the top and bottom as needed.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens