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Easy Homemade French Bread Recipe

Easy Homemade French Bread Recipe

Looking for an easy French Bread recipe to try? This homemade French Bread can be made in just a couple of hours!

Recipe by Gretchen on the Money Saving Mom team.

This is the Best French Bread Recipe!

If you’re looking for that perfect French Bread recipe, look no further! This recipe has become one of my tried and true favorites! And it’s SO easy to make.

It’s the perfect blend of a crunchy crust and soft inside. I can whip this up in less than two hours and it goes as a great side to so many dishes.

We love it fresh out of the oven with butter, but it also tastes good several days later.

Ingredients for Homemade French Bread

2 Tablespoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups hot water (110ºF)
3 Tablespoons sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup oil
6 1/2 cups flour; divided
1 Egg for brushing on bread
3 Tablespoons melted butter for brushing on bread

How to Make This Easy French Bread Recipe

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Let rest for 10 minutes.

2. In a larger mixing bowl, combine hot water, sugar, salt, oil, and 3 cups of the flour.

3. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture.

4. Add in the remaining flour, one cup at a time, and mix until the dough begins to pull away from the bowl.

5. Form into a large ball and let rest for 10 minutes.

6. Separate dough into three equal pieces.

7. On a floured surface, roll each piece into a 9×12 rectangle.

8. Roll it up like a jelly roll and shape into a French bread loaf.

9. Place the dough on a parchment lined or greased baking pan, seam side down.

homemade French bread ready for the oven

10. Using a small paring knife, make several diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch thick into the dough.

11. Brush with beaten egg.

12. Repeat with other two pieces.

13. Let loaves rise, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes in a warm place.

14. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.

15. Immediately brush warm loaves with melted butter.

16. Cut into slices and serve warm with butter, jam, or honey.

How to Store Homemade French Bread

Store any leftovers in airtight zip-top bags or food storage containers at room temperature for up to 5 days.

You may also freeze loaves or slices in zip-top bags for up to 3 months.

Easy Homemade French Bread

Course Bread

Cuisine French

Keyword bread, easy side dish, freezer friendly

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Rise Time 55

Servings loaves

Calories 115kcal

Author Crystal Paine

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup water (warm)
2 cups water (hot – about 110ºF)
3 Tablespoons sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup oil
6 1/2 cups flour divided
1 egg for brushing on bread
3 Tablespoons butter melted, for brushing on bread

Instructions

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Let rest for 10 minutes.
In a larger mixing bowl, combine hot water, sugar, salt, oil, and 3 cups of the flour.
Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture.
Add in the remaining flour, one cup at a time, and mix until the dough begins to pull away from the bowl.
Form into a large ball and let rest for 10 minutes.
Separate dough into three equal pieces.
On a floured surface roll each piece into a 9×12 rectangle.
Roll it up like a jelly roll and shape into a french bread loaf.
Place the dough on a parchment lined or greased baking pan, seam side down.
Using a small pairing knife, make several diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch thick into the dough.
Brush with beaten egg.
Repeat with other two pieces.
Let loaves rise, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes in a warm place.
Bake at 375 for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.
Immediately brush warm loaves with melted butter.
Cut into slices and serve warm with butter and jam/honey.