This is probably the most inexpensive bread I make because of its simple, short ingredient list…water, salt, sugar, yeast, and flour.

Water and salt are practically free, a tablespoon of sugar costs pennies, and flour isn’t very pricey either.

This recipe is not going to turn out artisanal loaves that rival what you’d get in a French bakery…this bread is more like a heartier version of what you’d buy in your local supermarket.

If you’d like to make your loaves more nutritious, you can substitute whole wheat flour for part of the white flour (I wouldn’t sub more than 50% of it, personally).

I use this bread recipe quite often…we eat the loaves when they’re fresh and hot, I use the dough to make bread bowls, and I make panini sandwiches, French Bread pizzas, and garlic bread with extra loaves.

Because of this, I rarely make one loaf! It’s just as easy to make two, and then you can freeze one to use later.

Since the dough has very little sweetening and no added fat (both of which act as preservatives), you’ll want to use or freeze your bread within a few days to prevent mold.

Here’s a step by step process with photos, and a printable recipe is at the bottom for you!

First, combine the yeast and flour in a mixer bowl.

Add water and beat for 3 minutes.

Beat in enough additional flour to make a soft but kneadable dough.

Turn dough out onto floured surface…

and knead for 3-5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.

Place in bowl, cover with tea towel, and let rise 45 minutes (an hour if your house is cold).
Punch dough down and roll into a long rectangular shape.

Starting from the long end, roll up jelly-roll style.

Place seam-side down on a greased baking sheet, cover with a wet tea towel, and let rise 30-45 minutes, or until doubled. How long this takes will depend on the climate of your house.

(The loaves below are obviously not risen yet).

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

A hot, fully-preheated oven is key for a brown crust, so don’t be tempted to default to 350 °F and do wait patiently for your oven to get to temperature.

This next stop is optional…it just makes for a shinier crust:

Whisk one egg white with one tablespoon of water until slightly foamy. Using a pastry brush, gently brush beaten egg white onto loaves.

Using a sharp knife, make 3-4 diagonal slashes on top of the loaf.

These loaves are a bit over-risen…I got busy doing something else and forgot about them. Oops.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until nicely browned. Cool on a wire rack.

Easy Homemade French Bread

Yield: 1 loaf

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Additional Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes

This bread is ridiculously delicious despite being made of very simple ingredients. Double the recipe and freeze the extra loaf.

Print

Ingredients

• 2 1/4-2 3/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 pkg. (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water (120° F)

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a standing mixer, combine 1.5 cups flour with the salt, sugar, and yeast. Add water and beat for 3 minutes. Beat in enough additional flour to make a soft but kneadable dough.
2. Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead 3-5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place in a bowl, cover with a wet tea towel, and let rise 45 minutes to an hour, or until doubled.
3. Punch dough down, turn out onto counter, and roll into a long rectangular shape. Starting from the long end, roll up jellyroll style. Place seam side down on a grease baking sheet, cover with a damp tea towel, and let rise 30-45 minutes, or until doubled.
4. Before bread is done rising, preheat oven to 400° F so that it will be hot when bread is finished rising.
5. (optional: whisk one egg white with one tablespoon water until slightly foamy. Using a pastry brush, brush egg white mixture onto loaf.)
6. Make 3-4 diagonal slashes on top of loaf, using a sharp knife.
7. Bake for 15 minutes, or until nicely browned. Cool on a wire rack.

Notes

The high oven temperature is essential. Use 425° F for an even browner crust. Make sure the oven is fully heated before you bake your bread.

This bread has very little fat/sugar, so it doesn't keep long. Freeze what you won't use in a day or two.