How to make homemade French Bread !

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: bread flour

Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrients.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier with good fats.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: agave syrup

Honey adds natural sweetness.

yeast

🥗Healthier: sourdough starter

💰Cheaper: instant yeast

Sourdough adds depth of flavor.

Start by gathering all ingredients: sugar, flour, salt, warm water, yeast, and olive oil.

Measure out 2 and 1/4 cups of warm water and add it to the mixing bowl.

Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of yeast to the water and mix briefly with a spoon.

Let the mixture sit for 3 to 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.

Add 3/4 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the mixture.

Gradually add 5 cups of all-purpose flour to the mixture while mixing with a dough hook.

Knead the dough in the mixer for about 1 minute until it becomes elastic and smooth.

Cover the dough with oil and plastic wrap, then let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

After rising, divide the dough into two sections.

Roll each section into a rectangle and roll it up from the long edge, pressing out air bubbles as you go.

Place the shaped loaves on a baking sheet and make diagonal slashes on top with a knife.

Let the loaves rise again for about 1 hour until they touch each other.

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Bake the loaves for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown.

Remove from the oven and immediately rub butter over the top of the loaves while they are hot.

Let the bread cool before slicing.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens