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 ½ 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.
Homemade Bakery French Bread
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Yeast
- ½ cup Warm Water
- 2 cups Hot Water
- 3 Tablespoons Sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons Salt
- ⅓ cup Oil
- 6 ½ 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 ½ 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 ¼ 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
Happy Baking, my friends! I can't wait to hear what you think about this quick and easy homemade french bread.
Amy
This is excellent bread. It turns out perfectly every time I make it.
Erin
First recipe used on our first day home with kids due to a Covid-19. Wanting to due lots of baking during their time home from school. Thank you for this simple to follow recipe and I can’t wait to try it!
Heather
I’m not sure if I’ve reviewed this already but it deserves another one if I did. I pretty much a novice when it comes to bread making but this recipe is so easy. It’s hard to fail! I’ve made this at least 4x and I’m making it again today. My family goes through this so fast even though there are 3 loaves! Thanks for the great recipe!!
Wendie P
Excellent bread. I've also used your recipe to make bread bowls for clam chowder and potato cheddar soup.
John M,
I am making this right now. Seems like a really wet dough even after about ten minutes kneading in a stand mixer. Will let you know. I also measured the ingredients on a kitchen scale. Keeping my fingers crossed!
marc
forgot to rate
Marc
This has to be the best french bread I have ever tasted. I have been trying a lot of bread recopies and this one is the best one yet.
I have been cutting the dough ball in half, using one for french bread and the other in a loaf pan. It makes the best bread loaf bread also! Today the bread was much more tacky then usual I am not sure why, however I discovered it was the softest of the 4 batches I have made so far.
thanks for the recipe!!!!!
Spoonandpaper
Hi...
So happy to have this recipe from you. Thanks for sharing. And can you please help me with a fresh yeast substitute. If we substitute it with instant Yeast, what is the measurement? Please help. Thank you.
lisa
You rock!
My church is having a bake sale this weekend and I made the dough, divided it, and put it in the refrigerator last night. This morning, I took it out of the fridge and it doubled in size. I rolled it and let it rise again. In the oven, it doubled again. Ha! I made 4 loaves! I kept one and the rest went to the church....It's delicious. I keep it in a special bread bag to keep it soft.
It smelled like a bakery in my home today. Thanks so much for the recipe. I'll try your focaccia next!
Sandy
This recipe is awesome. So so easy to use and the bread comes out moist and full of flavour. I found I only needed 5 cups of flour, used my stand mixer/dough hook and rubbed the bowl that I let the dough rest in with butter, Just delicious and I can't believe such a great homemade bread recipe in such a short time. For sure I will be making this often. Gonna try to freeze one loaf to see if it freezes well. Thanks for sharing!
Charlene J Bootzin
I am a passionate baker and bread is my thing. I have made a Julia Child's french bread, Paul Hollywood and a host of others. This was easier and better. I am sold on cold proofing for the wonderful flavor it adds and did it this way today. Having said that I might try it your fast way and see if my family can tell the difference. Will be
Laura
First time french bread maker but DEFINITELY not the last-They came out PERFECT! Way better than store bought! Will be making often..THANK YOU!!
Stacy Carlson
I am not a baker, lol. Can I use instant yeast and all purpose flour?? Help!!
Modern Honey
Hi Stacy! Yes, you can use instant yeast and all-purpose flour, no problem!
Spoonandpaper
Hi... What is the measurement if we are using instant Yeast in this recipe? Please reply.
julie
an absolute WINNER! so easy to come together and so delicious to put into our mouth! working on the grocery list after dinner, asking my family what they want on next week's menu, and my husband eagerly replies, "That bread!" thanks for such a treat of a recipe.
Angela
mine was a little doughy what causes that?
Vera Moore
I made your recipe this morning....3 beautiful loaves. For anyone trying the first time, you MAY need more flour or less flour called for, depending on the humidity level in your home. I needed extra, but added a little at a time. I let mine rest about 15-20 minutes before dumping out on a well floured counter surface. It will appear very sticky before the rest period. Resist temptation to keep adding flour. Used my board scraper to fold in the flour in some before I divided it. Had to lightly roll each section in a little flour to prevent sticking. I then let the divided sections to rest another 5 minutes before I started with the first. Two of the shaped loaves I just dusted with flour and slashed. The 3rd, I put on my egg wash at the last 10 minutes (pre-slashed). Pan of water on lower rack, but wasn't crusty enough. Next time I will be bumping up the oven temp to 400F.
Ginna
I made this bread and it is fantastically easy and yummy. Can’t wait to add herbs to the next batch. Thank you!
Chris Brown
I’ve been making bread for the last year with mixed results. Your recipe I’ve made three times now perfect every time I make them in baking tins. rather do that than rolling them out. Great recipe will carry on this one thank you so much.
Crystal
Hello, I fairly new to baking bread . I this Recipe with bread flour and my family loves it and we will definitely be making it again often! Was wondering if you know if I could do this with a whole wheat flour instead and still have the same great results?
SDoyon
Made this recipe for my first EVER attempt at bread at home. Such a great time and it didn't take ALL day which is awesome wirh 2 kids. I will be trying the other recipes posted here next.
Yetta
Very pleased with the two beautiful loaves of French bread. My husband and I loved it plain sliced with butter, but it was over the top when toasted. Yum. Next time I will bake it slightly longer in hopes of a crisper crust.
Liz
My 10 year old son can’t believe he’s made bread that tastes like it’s fresh from the bakery! His expression was “wow” when it came out the oven! He wants to bake it every week now! He loves the feel of the warm dough too - it’s like putty for him- a stress reliever! Thanks for sharing this
🙂