French Bread
Enjoy the delightful experience of making homemade French bread with this easy recipe. This crusty, golden loaf is perfect for sandwiches, dipping in olive oil, or enjoying with butter.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups warm water Warm, not hot, to activate the yeast
- 4 Tbsp dry yeast Ensure yeast is fresh
- 2 Tbsp salt
- 6 Tbsp sugar Can be omitted if preferred
- 12 Tbsp sunflower oil (or olive oil)
- 11 cups bread flour Could substitute with whole wheat flour for variation
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, mix warm water and dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Add salt, sugar, and sunflower oil to the yeast mixture. Stir well.
- Gradually add the bread flour, mixing until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 2 equal parts. Shape each part into a loaf.
- Place the loaves in greased bread pans or on a baking sheet. Cover and let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Allow the bread to cool before slicing.
Notes
Store your French bread in an airtight container or plastic bag to maintain freshness. It can be kept at room temperature for a few days. For longer storage, slice and freeze it. Reheat by toasting the slices. For a crustier bread, spray the loaves with water before baking.