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Easy Homemade Soft and Crusty French Bread (Ready in Under 2 Hours)

Close-up of a golden-brown, crusty loaf of homemade french bread cooling on a wire rack.
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You can make truly soft, fluffy French bread with a crusty exterior right in your kitchen. This simple recipe is perfect for beginners and delivers bakery-style loaves fast, making it ideal for dinner or sandwiches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (105°F to 115°F)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for greasing
  • 1 egg white, lightly beaten (for wash)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in the warm water. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy. This shows your yeast is active.
  2. Mix the dough: Add 3 1/2 cups of flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes, adding small amounts of the remaining flour only if the dough is too sticky. You want a smooth, elastic dough.
  4. First rise: Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm spot for 60 to 75 minutes, or until doubled in size.
  5. Shape the loaves: Gently punch down the risen dough. Divide it in half. On a lightly floured surface, shape each half into a long, even loaf, about 14 to 16 inches long. For a classic look, gently roll the dough to create surface tension.
  6. Second rise: Place the shaped loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking stone dusted with cornmeal. Cover loosely and let rise for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) during the last 15 minutes of this rise.
  7. Prepare for baking: Just before baking, brush the tops of the loaves lightly with the beaten egg white. Use a sharp knife or razor blade to make 3 to 4 diagonal slashes (about 1/2 inch deep) across the top of each loaf. This helps control the expansion.
  8. Bake: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  9. Cool: Transfer the baked French bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy this fresh baked bread warm with butter.

Notes

  • For a crispier crust, place a shallow pan on the bottom rack while preheating and pour 1 cup of hot water into it right before you put the bread in to create steam.
  • If you want a softer crust, skip the egg white wash and simply mist the loaves with water before baking.
  • This recipe makes two loaves, perfect for serving as a dinner side bread.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorsensations.com/easy-homemade-french-bread-recipe/