Homemade French-Style Bread
Breads & Rolls
Homemade French-Style Bread
- Prep
- 25 minutes
- Cook
- 30 minutes
- Rising
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total
- 2 hours 25 minutes
- Serves
- 2 loaves
Bring it to the table
About this recipe.
Two golden sandwich-style loaves with a tender center. A simple yeast dough makes enough to share or freeze.
Before you start
Gather your ingredients.
Check your pantry before you begin. Full quantities and serving adjustments are in the recipe card below.
See the ingredient checklist
- 2 1/4 cups Water (warm, around 110℉)
- 1 1/2 tbsp Sugar (granulated)
- 1 tbsp Yeast (instant or active dry)
- 2 tsp Table salt
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil (plus a little for greasing the bowl; canola or olive oil also works)
- 5 1/2-6 cups all-purpose or bread flour (add gradually, just enough for a soft, slightly tacky dough)
- 1 large egg (optional, beaten with 1 teaspoon water for brushing)
- Butter (salted; melted for brushing on top of the baked loaves (optional))
Watch the Dough, Not Just the Clock
A warm kitchen helps yeast dough rise, but the best guide is its size. Let the first rise double the dough, and keep it slightly tacky rather than adding flour until it feels dry.
Adapted from Amy Nash at House of Nash Eats.
The cooking plan
How to make Homemade French-Style Bread.
For active dry yeast, stir the warm water, sugar, and yeast in a mixer bowl and leave for about 5 minutes, until foamy. For instant yeast, combine these ingredients and continue immediately.
Add the salt, oil, and 3 cups flour. Mix with a dough hook on low, then add more flour about 1/2 cup at a time until a soft ball forms and mostly clears the bowl. Knead for 2 to 3 minutes, rest for 5 minutes, then knead for another 1 to 2 minutes, until smooth and slightly tacky. Use only as much of the flour range as the dough needs.
Place in a lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat, and cover. Leave in a warm, draft-free place until doubled, about 1 hour; use the dough size rather than the clock as your guide.
Gently deflate and divide in half. Pat each half into a rectangle about 9 by 13 inches. Roll up from a long side, pinch the seam shut, and tuck the ends under. Set seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving room between the loaves.
Cover loosely and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 375°F.
Brush with the optional egg wash. With a sharp knife or bread lame, make several shallow diagonal cuts across each loaf. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until well browned. Do not place ice or water directly on the oven floor.
Move to a rack. Brush with a little melted butter if you prefer a softer crust. Let cool before slicing so the crumb has time to set.
Let’s cook
The full recipe.
Check off ingredients as you get them ready.
Changing servings? The ingredient list scales automatically. Adjust quantities named in the steps to match, and choose pans and cooking times for your batch.
Homemade French-Style Bread
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Ingredients
Equipment
Equipment images are illustrative. Exact products may vary.
Instructions
- For active dry yeast, stir the warm water, sugar, and yeast in a mixer bowl and leave for about 5 minutes, until foamy. For instant yeast, combine these ingredients and continue immediately.
- Add the salt, oil, and 3 cups flour. Mix with a dough hook on low, then add more flour about 1/2 cup at a time until a soft ball forms and mostly clears the bowl. Knead for 2 to 3 minutes, rest for 5 minutes, then knead for another 1 to 2 minutes, until smooth and slightly tacky. Use only as much of the flour range as the dough needs.
- Place in a lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat, and cover. Leave in a warm, draft-free place until doubled, about 1 hour; use the dough size rather than the clock as your guide.
- Gently deflate and divide in half. Pat each half into a rectangle about 9 by 13 inches. Roll up from a long side, pinch the seam shut, and tuck the ends under. Set seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving room between the loaves.
- Cover loosely and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 375°F.
- Brush with the optional egg wash. With a sharp knife or bread lame, make several shallow diagonal cuts across each loaf. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until well browned. Do not place ice or water directly on the oven floor.
- Move to a rack. Brush with a little melted butter if you prefer a softer crust. Let cool before slicing so the crumb has time to set.
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!A couple of useful answers.
How do I change the number of servings?
Use the serving controls in the recipe card. Ingredient quantities change automatically; quantities written in the instructions, pan sizes and cooking times still need your attention.
Can I print or check off the ingredients?
Choose Print recipe near the title for a printable version. On this page, check ingredients off as you prepare them, then use Reset ingredient checks to start again.
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