How to make: EASY 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.

Place above bread ingredients in your bread machine according to manufacturer’s directions (mine requires that I put wet ingredients in first, then dry).

Close lid and start machine on the dough setting for French bread (if you have that setting - if not, just use the basic bread setting).

Once dough is done in the bread machine, preheat your oven to 175°F degrees (you’re going to put your loaves in the preheated oven to rise). Once oven reaches 175°F degrees, turn it off.

On a lightly floured surface, cut dough ball in half and roll each loaf out (or save one dough ball for later use and put in freezer) to about 12 inches long in the shape of french bread.

Place bread on a greased baking sheet. Cut three small slices on top of bread.

Cover with a clean dish towel and place into warmed oven.

Allow the loaves rise until doubled, about an hour.

Take loaves out and preheat oven to 450°F degrees.

Optional: to get a really nice golden color on top of the bread, make an egg wash. Mix together one egg with a tablespoon of water and whisk really well. Then lightly spread this egg wash on top of the bread before baking.

Bake loaves for 15-20 minutes until golden brown, turning the pan around once halfway during baking.

Remove loaves when finished baking and allow to cool on wire racks.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens