French Bread Recipe

4.98 from 232 votes

French Bread Recipe

This wonderfully soft French bread recipe is easy to make at home. With simple step-by-step directions, it comes out perfect every time!

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Rest & Rise Time40

Total Time1 15

Course: Bread

Cuisine: American, French

Servings: loaves

Author: Lil' Luna

Equipment

Ingredients

¼ cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons rapid rise yeast
½ cup warm water, 110–115°F
2 cups hot water
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
6 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 egg, beaten

Instructions

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle evenly with cornmeal. (Greased baking sheets work too, but we prefer the cornmeal method.)
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine hot water, oil, sugar, salt, and 3 cups of flour. Mix with the paddle attachment.
Add yeast mixture and mix to combine.
Switch to the dough hook attachment and add the remaining 3 cups of flour 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Once all of the flour is added, let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
Place dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into three pieces. Roll each piece into a 9x12-inch rectangle. Roll each rectangle up from the long edge like a jelly roll.
Place each dough roll on a prepared baking sheet, seam side down.
Score the bread across the top 3 or 4 times and brush each loaf with beaten egg for a crisp and shiny crust. Let dough rise, uncovered, for 30 minutes in a warm place.
Toward the end of the rise, preheat the oven to 375°F.
Bake on the middle rack for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Video

Notes

Store baked bread inside a plastic bag, bread box, or aluminum foil. The bread should last 2-3 days. To freeze, wrap it in parchment paper, then foil and freeze for 3 months. To reheat, thaw wrap in foil, and place in oven, preheated to 400°F, until warm.

Use it up. This recipe is great to serve as a slice of bread but you can use it to make other recipes, including Bruschetta, French Toast Casserole, French Toast, and Cheesy Garlic Bread.

Nutrition