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Homemade French Bread
Simple, quick, and easy homemade French bread recipe.
Kids can even make this bread. For real. It’s that easy. Making any bread from scratch can be a daunting task and it’s easy to be intimidated by the whole process. I am going to break it down and hopefully ease any worries. You may even become a master bread maker!
This Homemade Bakery French Bread can be done in a little more than one hour which means you can have hot, fresh bread straight out of the oven when the kids get home from school even if you don’t start baking until afternoon. You won’t need to run to the bakery for your french bread anymore when you can make better bread at home….in no time flat.
I taught a culinary class for kids in both Texas and Arizona and I’ve watched 7-year-olds tackle this homemade French bread recipe. I loved seeing the pictures those kids sent me showing the french bread masterpieces they made for their families.
As a child, I remember riding my bike home from school and opening the back door to the smells of homemade bread baking in the oven. My Mom always said that she could live on bread alone so bread was always essential in our home. There’s nothing more comforting than a hot piece of bread straight from the oven covered in churned butter and homemade strawberry jam.
Let’s get down to the basics so you can start baking.
How to make quick and easy homemade bakery french bread:
- Making sure the yeast proofs is essential. Using fresh yeast is important and mixing with warm water (not too hot, not too cold) will ensure success. Yeast loves sugar so add a pinch of sugar to the mixture. Let it work for about 10 minutes.
- Adding flour one cup at a time is important so you can see when the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. That’s when you know it’s ready. Put flour down on the counter so the dough doesn’t stick. That isn’t fun. I love my Bosch mixer and can find a great deal on one below.
- Using rolling pin, roll out into a 9 x 12 rectangle. Roll up lengthwise and mold into french loaf. I love this marble rolling pin.
- The loaves don’t have to look perfect. I rolled these babies in 7 1/2 minutes flat before I sprinted to my little girl’s performance. Don’t forget to make 3-4 diagonal cuts with a sharp knife before placing on silpat or greased cookie sheet. These silicone baking sheets make it so easy to remove the bread from the baking sheet. Let rise for 30-40 minutes.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 18-22 minutes until lightly golden brown. Watch it carefully to turn a light golden brown color.
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Homemade Bakery French Bread
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Yeast
- 1/2 cup Warm Water
- 2 cups Hot Water
- 3 Tablespoons Sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Salt
- 1/3 cup Oil
- 6 1/2 cups Flour
- 1 Egg for brushing on bread
Instructions
- In a small bowl, dissolve your yeast in ½ cup warm water. Make sure that your water is warm (not too cold, not too hot). Let proof for 10 minutes.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine hot water, sugar, salt, oil and 3 cups of the flour and mix together. Add the yeast mixture to a bowl.
- Add the remaining 3 1/2 cups of flour, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Watch for it to start pulling away from the bowl to know it's ready. Once all of the flour is added, let sit for 10 minutes.
- Separate your dough into 3 pieces. On a floured surface roll each piece into a 9x12 rectangle. Roll it up like a jelly roll. Shape into a french bread loaf and smooth out edges.
- Place the dough on a greased baking pan or a Silpat, seam side down. Using a knife, make 3-4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch thick in bread. Brush with your beaten egg.
- Let dough rise uncovered for 30-40 minutes in a warm place.
- Bake at 375 for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.
Video
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Happy Baking, my friends! I can’t wait to hear what you think about this quick and easy homemade french bread.
First time french bread maker but DEFINITELY not the last-They came out PERFECT! Way better than store bought! Will be making often..THANK YOU!!
I am not a baker, lol. Can I use instant yeast and all purpose flour?? Help!!
Hi Stacy! Yes, you can use instant yeast and all-purpose flour, no problem!
Hi… What is the measurement if we are using instant Yeast in this recipe? Please reply.
an absolute WINNER! so easy to come together and so delicious to put into our mouth! working on the grocery list after dinner, asking my family what they want on next week’s menu, and my husband eagerly replies, “That bread!” thanks for such a treat of a recipe.
mine was a little doughy what causes that?
I made your recipe this morning….3 beautiful loaves. For anyone trying the first time, you MAY need more flour or less flour called for, depending on the humidity level in your home. I needed extra, but added a little at a time. I let mine rest about 15-20 minutes before dumping out on a well floured counter surface. It will appear very sticky before the rest period. Resist temptation to keep adding flour. Used my board scraper to fold in the flour in some before I divided it. Had to lightly roll each section in a little flour to prevent sticking. I then let the divided sections to rest another 5 minutes before I started with the first. Two of the shaped loaves I just dusted with flour and slashed. The 3rd, I put on my egg wash at the last 10 minutes (pre-slashed). Pan of water on lower rack, but wasn’t crusty enough. Next time I will be bumping up the oven temp to 400F.
I made this bread and it is fantastically easy and yummy. Can’t wait to add herbs to the next batch. Thank you!
I’ve been making bread for the last year with mixed results. Your recipe I’ve made three times now perfect every time I make them in baking tins. rather do that than rolling them out. Great recipe will carry on this one thank you so much.
Hello, I fairly new to baking bread . I this Recipe with bread flour and my family loves it and we will definitely be making it again often! Was wondering if you know if I could do this with a whole wheat flour instead and still have the same great results?
Made this recipe for my first EVER attempt at bread at home. Such a great time and it didn’t take ALL day which is awesome wirh 2 kids. I will be trying the other recipes posted here next.
Very pleased with the two beautiful loaves of French bread. My husband and I loved it plain sliced with butter, but it was over the top when toasted. Yum. Next time I will bake it slightly longer in hopes of a crisper crust.
My 10 year old son can’t believe he’s made bread that tastes like it’s fresh from the bakery! His expression was “wow” when it came out the oven! He wants to bake it every week now! He loves the feel of the warm dough too – it’s like putty for him- a stress reliever! Thanks for sharing this
🙂