Homemade French Bread
Simple, quick, and easy homemade French bread recipe.
Kids can even make this bread. For real. It’s that easy. Making any bread from scratch can be a daunting task and it’s easy to be intimidated by the whole process. I am going to break it down and hopefully ease any worries. You may even become a master bread maker!
This Homemade Bakery French Bread can be done in a little more than one hour which means you can have hot, fresh bread straight out of the oven when the kids get home from school even if you don’t start baking until afternoon. You won’t need to run to the bakery for your french bread anymore when you can make better bread at home….in no time flat.
I taught a culinary class for kids in both Texas and Arizona and I’ve watched 7-year-olds tackle this homemade French bread recipe. I loved seeing the pictures those kids sent me showing the french bread masterpieces they made for their families.
As a child, I remember riding my bike home from school and opening the back door to the smells of homemade bread baking in the oven. My Mom always said that she could live on bread alone so bread was always essential in our home. There’s nothing more comforting than a hot piece of bread straight from the oven covered in churned butter and homemade strawberry jam.
Let’s get down to the basics so you can start baking.
How to make quick and easy homemade bakery french bread:
- Making sure the yeast proofs is essential. Using fresh yeast is important and mixing with warm water (not too hot, not too cold) will ensure success. Yeast loves sugar so add a pinch of sugar to the mixture. Let it work for about 10 minutes.
- Adding flour one cup at a time is important so you can see when the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. That’s when you know it’s ready. Put flour down on the counter so the dough doesn’t stick. That isn’t fun. I love my Bosch mixer and can find a great deal on one below.
- Using rolling pin, roll out into a 9 x 12 rectangle. Roll up lengthwise and mold into french loaf. I love this marble rolling pin.
- The loaves don’t have to look perfect. I rolled these babies in 7 1/2 minutes flat before I sprinted to my little girl’s performance. Don’t forget to make 3-4 diagonal cuts with a sharp knife before placing on silpat or greased cookie sheet. These silicone baking sheets make it so easy to remove the bread from the baking sheet. Let rise for 30-40 minutes.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 18-22 minutes until lightly golden brown. Watch it carefully to turn a light golden brown color.
- 2 Tablespoons Yeast
- 1/2 cup Warm Water
- 2 cups Hot Water
- 3 Tablespoons Sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Salt
- 1/3 cup Oil
- 6 1/2 cups Flour
- 1 Egg for brushing on bread
- In a small bowl, dissolve your yeast in ½ cup warm water. Make sure that your water is warm (not too cold, not too hot). Let proof for 10 minutes.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine hot water, sugar, salt, oil and 3 cups of the flour and mix together. Add the yeast mixture to a bowl.
- Add the remaining 3 1/2 cups of flour, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Watch for it to start pulling away from the bowl to know it's ready. Once all of the flour is added, let sit for 10 minutes.
- Separate your dough into 3 pieces. On a floured surface roll each piece into a 9x12 rectangle. Roll it up like a jelly roll. Shape into a french bread loaf and smooth out edges.
- Place the dough on a greased baking pan or a Silpat, seam side down. Using a knife, make 3-4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch thick in bread. Brush with your beaten egg.
- Let dough rise uncovered for 30-40 minutes in a warm place.
- Bake at 375 for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.
Happy Baking, my friends! I can’t wait to hear what you think about this quick and easy homemade french bread.
Super easy to make (kids can make this) and really soft and delicious. Will be a staple in our kitchen for sure! Thank you for sharing 🙂
I just tried baking this and I’m pretty sure I followed all of the steps correctly, but the loaves didn’t brown and are very pale 🙁 does anyone know why this would happen? This was my first time making bread ever.
Did you put the egg wash on?
Or you can just keep the bread in the oven a few minutes longer until it’s the color you like
I tried this recipe & it was perfect. I will say that I let my loaves rise for more like one and 1/2 hour–the suggested 30 or 40 min. was not enough for my bread to rise—I did let it rise in a warmed oven & it still took longer. Not a big deal, just be sure to allow enough time in case it doesn’t rise in 30-40 min. When they were the size I wanted , I baked them & they turned out perfect. The leftovers make the best garlic bread & french toast. I think I finally found an easy homemade bread
My kids and I have made this bread several times and it always turns out perfect. This is the quickest and easiest bread recipe I’ve found. It’s a great base for other variations such as garlic and cheese bread too. Thank you for the recipe.
Your recipe calls for 2 Tablespoons of yeast. I always buy dry yeast in packages. Most recipes call for 1 package of yeast and I’m sure there aren’t 2 Tablespoons in a package. How many packages should I use to make your recipe?
Also, do you suggest all purpose flour or bread flour?
Very easy to make. My husband says they look and taste just like bakery bread.
Well, I can never eat plain bread. After I rolled it out I added a topping of caramelized onions and cheddar on top of that! Rolled it up and baked. Delicious! Have used mozzarella and pepperoni. Have added herbs before rollin and on top after egg wash
Can’t say enough.