Homemade French bread recipe
There's nothing better than getting to enjoy a French baguette fresh out of the oven -- where the outside is just perfectly crispy and the inside is moist, fluffy and delicious. Instead of paying $5 for a loaf at the store, make your own at home with this few-ingredient recipe.
Although this beautiful bread requires only a few ingredients, it requires a bit more patience. Yeast is very temperamental, so don't beat yourself up if your first batch doesn't come out perfect. Keep trying and you'll have bakery-style French bread in no time!
Recipe adapted from Cooking Light.
Homemade French bread
Yields 2 (12-inch size) baguettes
Ingredients:
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1-1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F)
- 3 cups bread flour
- Pinch of salt
- Cooking spray
- 1 egg white, beaten
Directions:
- Mix yeast and water in a large bowl and let sit for 5 minutes or until yeast starts to bubble up. Once bubbled, add in about 2-1/2 cups of flour and mix well until a dough forms. Cover and let rest for about 15 minutes.
- Once dough has rested, place on a floured surface and knead, adding the remaining 1/2 cup of flour, until dough is elastic, about 6 - 8 minutes of kneading. Once dough is done being kneaded, place in a bowl covered in cooking spray and cover. Place in a warm place and let rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
- Once dough has doubled, punch down and then let sit another 5 minutes. Split dough in half, covering the other half so it doesn't dry out. Place dough on a floured surface and roll out into a 12-inch rope (with your hands). Place on a baking sheet. Repeat with other half of dough. Cover and let rise again for at least 20 minutes or until loaves have doubled. Using a knife, cut slits into the top of the dough.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Once dough has doubled, brush gently with egg whites and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
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