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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.
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Homemade Bakery French Bread
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
Video
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Happy Baking, my friends! I can’t wait to hear what you think about this quick and easy homemade french bread.
Finally can say I’m a French bread master due to you! I’m making it again today. One loaf with sesame seeds, one with everything bagel seasoning and the last…breadsticks with rosemary and garlic. Endless possibilities with this bread for sure… Thanx so much for sharing!
This is the third time making this bread and it is absolutely amazing as well as easy for a novice baker(I’m more of a cook) I have passed the recipe on to my brother who just loves it as well as his adult children do. We always give a loaf to a friend and she loves it. Best fresh from the oven with butter and my homemade black cap jelly
Easy and delicious! Will make this often.
Hello – Can you let me know about how long this bread needs to be mixed / kneaded in the mixer? Mine typically pulls away from the bowl in a minute or two and I’m not sure that is enough time. Either way, the bread really is simple to make and always delicious!
Thanks!
This French bread recipe is absolutely amazing!! I made to go with my homemade lasagna for my son’s birthday. We all loved it!! It made my house smell wonderful. I followed your recipe exactly with a little sugar like you suggested when I added the yeast. Before baking the loaf I added brushed it with egg and a little garlic salt and Italian seasoning to the top. It came out golden and delicious! This is my new go to recipe for homemade French loaf! Thank you!!
This bread is so good. Next time I may cut the recipe in half. It was a lot of bread for just 2 people.
I want to love this recipe but my dough was still very wet and stick I followed the recipe to.a t any suggestions?
Looks amazing! May I try this recipe in the bread machine?
This recipe looks so good, however I wish it listed the ingredients by weight. I am from NZ and “cups” vary from country to country…
This recipe was amazing.. I used 1/2 cup warm milk instead of water to proof my yeast. These were delicious! The 1st loaf was gone FAST. Will absolutely make again 🙂