Super Easy French Bread

I do not know about you, but Rob and I love a loaf of warm, homemade bread. I used to be intimidated by the thought of making my own bread. I had my bread baking fails during the first years of my marriage. Over the years, I have learned to bake cookies, muffins, and breads! When I can, I make the several loaves of bread. It just tastes different from the store-bought bread. Homemade breads are more delicious even with little ingredients.

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups flour, more for kneading
1 tsp salt
2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 tbsp sugar
1 cup warm water

Directions:

Using your mixer, combine the 2 cups flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Add water and beat for 3 minutes. Add in 1/4 cup of flour or enough flour to make it kneadable and soft. Place your dough in a floured surface and knead for about 3-5 minutes until smooth. It should also be elastic.

Place your kneaded dough into the bowl, cover ( I used a tea towel) and let it rise for 45 minutes.

After 45 minutes, punch dough down. Using a rolling pin, roll your dough into a long rectangular shape.

Starting at the long end, roll it up ( like a jelly roll).

Put the rolled dough into a greased cookie sheet parchment-lined cookie sheet (seam side down), cover with a wet towel and let it rise again for about half an hour. Your dough may take longer o rise if your house is cold.

My dough looked like this after the second rising.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Make 3 or 4 diagonal slit/slash on top of your dough.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until it is golden brown. Let it cool.

Serve it with stews or warm soup, or pasta dishes. This is also perfect for garlic bread or pizza boats.

Don't forget to pin and share!

OTHER RECIPES TO TRY:

Homemade Bread Loaves

Chocolate Pancakes

5 comments

Danielle @ A Sprinkle of JoyAugust 8, 2014 at 6:57 PM
Hi!
This bread looks so yummy! My hubby and I like to make cheese, and are left with a ton of whey, which I have been trying to make bread with. Whenever I try, my bread always seems to spread out during the second rise. I will have to try this! Also, I have been trying to start a weekly link party (What's Cooking Wednesday) to link up any type of recipe. I would love for you to join! This week's party is still open, hope to see you there. :)
http://sundaesandspaghetti.blogspot.com/2014/08/whats-cooking-wednesday-3.html
Sarah MarchantAugust 11, 2014 at 12:22 PM
Thanks for this great step-by-step tutorial!
Shanice BannisAugust 15, 2014 at 7:47 AM
This looks so good! Great job! Thank you for sharing this post at City of Creative Dream's City of Links last Friday! I appreciate you taking the time to party with me. Hope to see you again this week :)