Today I want to share with you all one of my all time favourite recipes ever: Easy French bread. I learned how to make this bread as a 12-year old, so needless to say it lives up to its name!
How I came to know this recipe
I’m one of 12 kids, and growing up in a large family, we were blessed to be have a mother who made homemade bread all the time. I think I took it for granted most of the time, but having had seasons of life where homemade bread wasn’t always available, I’ve only grown to appreciate the delicious taste and smell of homemade bread more and more. This recipe is one of my favourites from my growing up years because of how easy to make and delicious to eat it is. I’m certain it will be that for you as well!
Is this bread easy to make for a beginner?
You bet! As I mentioned above, I started making this when I was 12, and even the batches I thought I ruined somehow magically turned out delicious. This is the very best recipe to begin learning how to make bread on your own!
Can I adapt this recipe to make other kinds of bread?
Yes! This recipe can be used as a base for just about every type of bread you want to make. Tweak it by adding whole wheat flour to make it into whole wheat bread, or add oats, nuts, or seeds for a little texture. Just make sure you add your “Extras” to the water before you start adding the flour to stiffen it up. You can also easily make this recipe into dinner rolls instead, if you prefer.
What is French bread?
French loaves are actually more of a shape than a recipe. They are typically white bread, shaped in long loaves with angled cuts along the length to produce a very beautiful, large, baguette-looking loaf. I imagine the most “legit” French breads would be fermented like sourdough, but any French-shaped loaf can go by this name.
![Easy French Bread [Recipe] - NaomiCakes Easy Beginner Bread Recipe (1)](https://naomicakes.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/6c5f1-276ed.jpg "Easy French Bread [Recipe] - NaomiCakes Easy Beginner Bread Recipe (1)")
Is this recipe made with traditional yeast?
Yes! As I mentioned above, I imagine that the most incredible French loaves would be fermented (like sourdough), to make that amazing crispy crust and porous interior. This recipe won’t give you quite that result, but it does keep things much simpler and faster to make, while still being incredibly delicious!
How long does it take to make French bread?
I give myself 3 hours to make it from start to finish. If you start in the morning, you can have fresh bread form the oven by lunchtime!
Is French bread difficult to make?
Not at all. This is the best place to begin learning how to make bread and getting a feel for what it means to knead and shape dough. It’s forgiving, it’s simple, and it’s fast!
![Easy French Bread [Recipe] - NaomiCakes Easy Beginner Bread Recipe (2)](https://i0.wp.com/naomicakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Easy-Homemade-683x1024.png "Easy French Bread [Recipe] - NaomiCakes Easy Beginner Bread Recipe (2)")
What are the best uses for French bread?
This bread makes incredible sandwiches, appetizers, bread for dipping in oil and vinegar… pretty much everything. Whatever you want to eat bread for, this will serve you well.
Some good toppings for French bread are…?
I have usually just glazed my loaves with an egg wash to give a nice shiny finish, but you can use everything bagel seasoning, poppy seeds, sesame seeds… you name it. Pretty much anything can be sprinkled on top of this bread to make it great!
Getting a crispy crust on your bread
The best way to get a crispy crust is to create steam in the oven. You can spray your loaves with water or brush them with water before baking to give a little bit of a thicker crust, or if you want to pour boiling water into a pan underneath the loaves when you place them in the oven to bake, you should get a better, thicker crust.
How is French bread made?
Well, that’s the big question, isn’t it? Scroll down for the recipe!
![Easy French Bread [Recipe] - NaomiCakes Easy Beginner Bread Recipe (4)](https://i0.wp.com/naomicakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/276ed-150x150.jpg "Easy French Bread [Recipe] - NaomiCakes Easy Beginner Bread Recipe (4)")
5 from 4 votes
Easy French Bread
Makes 2 large loaves
CourseBreakfast, Dinner, lunch, Snack
CuisineAmerican, Canadian, French
KeywordBanana bread, easy bread recipe, french bread
Prep Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2c.lukewarm water
- 1/2tsp.sugar
- 1Tbsp.or 1 pkg. dry active yeast
- 2c.lukewarm water
- 2Tbsp.sugar
- 2tsp.salt
- 2Tbsp.oil
- 5+cupsall-purpose flour*(approx.) *see recipe notes
- 1egg mixed with 1 tsp. cold waterto glaze
Instructions
In a large drinking glass or measuring pitcher, combine the 1/2 c. lukewarm water with 1/2 tsp. sugar and dry active yeast. Stir to combine and let this rest about 10 minutes, till risen and bubbly.
Note: Careful not to use hot water! If the water is too hot, it will kill the yeast and you'll have to start again. Allowing the yeast to rise in the cup, separate from the rest of the ingredients, is to test the yeast and make sure it's rising well. This prevents wasting your other ingredients, should you have to start again.
While the yeast is rising, combine the rest of the water, salt, sugar, and oil in a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixture. Add the risen yeast mixture and about 2 cups of flour. Stir to combine. If you’re mixing the bread by hand, continue adding flour in small amounts until the mixture is difficult to combine by stirring.
Turn the dough out of the bowl onto a work surface generously dusted with flour and knead, adding flour, until the mixture forms a smooth soft dough. If using an electric mixer, add flour in small amounts, and scrape the dough off of the sides of the bowl often. When the dough begins to leave the sides of the bowl on its own, it should be ready– The consistency should be stiff, spongy, and slightly sticky. If you’ve never made bread before, I recommend kneading it by hand until you learn, by experience, what the consistency should feel like.
Turn the dough into a greased mixing bowl and cover with plastic. Let this rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.
Grease your hands with a little oil, punch the dough down, and divide into 2 sections. Roll the dough into long loaves, folding the dough and pinching it underneath to make it smooth. Using a sharp knife (I like to use a serrated knife), score 3 slits in the dough about 1/4″ deep. Cover with a tea towel and let it rise for 35 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Beat 1 egg with 1 tsp. cold water, and brush on top of the loaves. You can sprinkle black pepper, poppy seeds, or sesame seeds on top of the glaze for decor at this point. Let the loaves rise, uncovered this time, 10 minutes more.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped. Cool on wire racks.
Recipe Notes
Tip: This recipe makes a soft crust. If you want a crusty loaf, brush the loaves with water before baking instead of the egg glaze.
The Perfect Amount of Flour: If you have a kitchen scale, this recipe is perfect with 920g of flour.
To keep this recipe easy to follow, you can check out these photos which correspond to various steps in the recipe. I hope they are helpful for you! Feel free to ask questions in the comments if you have any.
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![Easy French Bread [Recipe] - NaomiCakes Easy Beginner Bread Recipe (10)](https://i0.wp.com/naomicakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/118ed-1.jpg "Easy French Bread [Recipe] - NaomiCakes Easy Beginner Bread Recipe (10)")
4:
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Note: You can test the dough by sticking your finger into it. If the indentation bounces back, it needs to rise some more– if it remains, it is done.
6:
7&8:
Used in this Recipe:
- Ingredients (see recipe card)
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Glass measuring pitcher
- Large stirring spoon
- Sharp knife
- Pastry brush
- Baking trays
- Cooking spray or parchment paper
Like all homemade bread, this French bread is delicious served warm with butter. Mm-hm.
I’ll be back next week! In the meantime, however, I’d like to ask: What’s your favourite kind of bread?
–Naomi
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