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French Bread Recipe

With a crisp golden crust and soft, fluffy inside, this French Bread recipe makes the most perfect loaf of bread. Serve with your favorite soup, stews, chilis, spaghetti, and more.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Rise and Rest Time2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time3 hours 20 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy french bread recipe, french bread recipe
Servings: 2 loaves
Calories: 1878kcal
Author: Jill

Ingredients

  • 2 pkg Active dry yeast
  • ½ C Water Warm
  • 1 tsp Granulated white sugar
  • C All-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp Salt
  • 2 C Water warm
  • 1 LG Egg white
  • ½ C Cornmeal

Instructions

  • Combine 2 packages of active dry yeast and 1 tsp of granulated white sugar in ½ cup of warm water. Set aside until foamy.
  • In a separate large bowl combine 1 tbsp salt and 2 cups of lukewarm water, beat in 2 cups of the all-purpose flour.
  • Blend in the yeast mixture and stir in 4-4 ½ cups of flour (enough to make a soft dough).
  • Turn out on a lightly floured surface, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes.
  • Knead until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, (about7-10 min) work in the remaining cup of flour.
  • Place in a lightly greased bowl, turning once.
  • Cover and let the dough rise until about double the amount. Approximately 1-1 ½ hours.
  • Punch  the dough down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface
  • Divide the dough into two portions.
  • Cover the dough and let it rest for another 10 minutes.
  • Roll each portion, forming a 15 x 12” rectangle. Roll tightly beginning at the long end and sealing well. Taper the ends.
  • Place each loaf, seam side down on a greased and cornstarch sprinkled baking sheet.
  • With a very sharp knife slash the tops every 2 ½ inches and about ¼ inch deep.
  • Beat one egg white until just foamy and mix in 1 tbsp water.
  • Brush the egg white mixture onto the tops and sides of the loaves
  • Cover with a damp cloth, making sure to not touch the loaves. (Drape the cloth over inverted glasses). Let rise until double, about 1 ½ hour. Preheat oven to 375° as the bread reaches the end of the proofing time.
  • Bake in the oven for approximately 20 minutes or until light brown.
  • Baste the loaves again with the egg white mixture and then bake for another 20 minutes. If the loaves are starting to brown too much, cover loosely with foil
  • Remove from the oven and let cool on wire rack.

Nutrition

Calories: 1878kcal | Carbohydrates: 389g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3525mg | Potassium: 664mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 23mg