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Truly Authentic Crusty Homemade French Bread

Close-up of a freshly baked french bread loaf cut in half, showing a light, airy crumb structure and golden crust.
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Learn to bake bakery-style French bread at home. This recipe delivers a beautiful, crackly crust and a soft, airy interior, perfect for any meal.

Ingredients

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  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 105-115°F)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for bowl)
  • Water for steam (about 1 cup)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and instant yeast.
  2. Add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. This develops the structure for a good crust.
  4. Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size.
  5. Gently punch down the risen dough. Divide it into two equal pieces. Shape each piece into a long, even loaf (a baguette shape).
  6. Place the shaped loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them. Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel. Let the loaves rest for a second rise for 30 minutes.
  7. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) 20 minutes before baking. Place a shallow metal pan on the bottom rack while preheating to create steam.
  8. Just before placing the bread in the oven, use a sharp knife or razor blade to make three diagonal slashes across the top of each loaf.
  9. Carefully pour 1 cup of hot water into the preheated metal pan on the bottom rack to create steam. Immediately place the loaves on the middle rack.
  10. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
  11. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • For a softer crust, omit the steam pan during baking and brush the loaves lightly with melted butter immediately after removing them from the oven.
  • If you prefer a more artisan style bread, use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour.
  • This recipe is excellent served with a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/french-bread-crusty-homemade-recipe/