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French Bread

The secret to this incredible French bread taste lies in the carefully selected ingredients and the method of preparation. This loaf takes a bit more time to make compared to other recipes, but trust me, it's well worth the effort.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Proof 40 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: French
Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 C. Warm Water 105°F-115°F
  • 1 Packet of Yeast 2 1/4 Tsp.
  • 1 Tsp. + 1 Tbsp Sugar
  • 1 Tsp. Salt
  • 1 C. + 2 Tbsp Warm Water
  • 4 C. Flour
  • Butter - Spreading onto the bread before baking

Method
 

  1. Combine 1/4 C Water with 2 1/4 Tsp yeast and 1 Tsp sugar. Mix until all the sugar and yeast is dissolved into the water.
  2. Allow 5 minutes to stand. Yeast will start to bubble and get foamy.
  3. Pour into stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. Add in 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tsp salt, 1 C + 2 Tbsp warm water.
  4. Mix for a few seconds to combine everything. Add in flour and knead for 5 minutes, until dough is smooth
  5. Cut dough in half on a lightly floured surface, shape dough into balls and roll into logs from here. The longer the loaf the more “french bread” style you will get, for less crust don’t make the dough to long.
  6. Cover with a tea towel and let rise for 15 to 20 minutes. Until they have doubled in size.
  7. Cut slits into bread loafs and spread a thin layer of butter over the loafs, the more you time you spend spreading the butter the further it will go.
  8. Preheat oven to 300°F. Boil water in a shallow pan that can go into your oven. Place the shallow pan full of water on the rack below the loafs, once the loafs go into the oven. TURN OVEN OFF. Allow to rise until they have doubled in size again, about 20 minutes.
  9. Once doubled in size, remove the pan of water. Turn oven on to 425°F. Do not remove the bread. Bake for 10 minutes (this includes preheat time)
  10. After 10 minutes turn down to 350°F and bake for an additional 6-8 minutes

Video