Description
Warm, golden French bread rises to culinary perfection with this classic recipe that whispers comfort and tradition. Crisp exterior and pillowy interior promise a delightful experience you’ll savor with each aromatic, freshly baked slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water (approximately 90-110°F or 32-43°C)
Yeast and Sweetener:
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Finishing and Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 egg, beaten (for brushing the loaf)
Instructions
- Initiate the yeast activation by blending warm water with sugar in a compact vessel. Gently disperse yeast granules across the liquid surface and allow it to transform for 5-10 minutes until a frothy texture emerges.
- Merge flour and salt within a capacious mixing container. Excavate a central cavity and introduce the yeast liquid along with oil. Amalgamate ingredients until a rough, uneven dough materializes.
- Transfer the nascent dough onto a flour-dusted workspace. Engage in vigorous kneading for 8-10 minutes, incrementally incorporating additional flour to achieve a silky, resilient consistency.
- Nestle the dough within a lightly lubricated receptacle, drape with a moistened fabric, and permit fermentation in a temperate environment for 45-60 minutes until volume doubles.
- Depress the risen dough and elongate into a rectangular formation measuring roughly 9×13 inches. Commence rolling from the extended edge, constructing a compact cylindrical shape while meticulously sealing the longitudinal junction.
- Position the sculpted loaf on a parchment-lined baking surface. Envelop with a dampened cloth, allowing a secondary expansion period of 45-60 minutes until near-maximum volume.
- Calibrate oven temperature to 375°F (190°C), ensuring thorough preheating.
- Execute precise diagonal incisions across the loaf’s superior surface using a razor-sharp implement. Apply an egg wash to enhance surface luminosity. Roast for 20-25 minutes until achieving a golden-bronze hue and producing a resonant hollow sound when tapped.
- Extract from oven and permit complete cooling on a wire grid before slicing to preserve structural integrity.
Notes
- Proofing Perfection: Choose a warm, draft-free spot like near a preheated oven or inside a turned-off oven with the light on to help yeast rise consistently.
- Flour Power: Use bread flour for extra protein content, which creates a chewier texture and better gluten development compared to all-purpose flour.
- Moisture Magic: Brush the loaf with egg wash or water to achieve a gorgeous golden-brown crust with beautiful shine and crispy exterior.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap wheat flour with a commercial gluten-free bread flour blend and add xanthan gum to maintain structure and texture.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 3.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg