Simple French Bread
The key to getting a classic French bread loaf with a crackly, golden crust and a soft, fluffy inside is adding steam to your oven. For this recipe, you just place a pan of water on the bottom rack while the bread bakes. The dough itself is very simple and comes together quickly.
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups warm filtered water around 112° to 115°
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 packet active dry yeast 2 1/4 teaspoons
- 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons softened unsalted butter
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- In stand mixer bowl, whisk 1 cup warm water with honey and yeast. Let stand 5-7 minutes until foamy.
- Add remaining water, salt, butter, and flour. Knead with dough hook 8-10 minutes until combined.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let rise 90 minutes until doubled.
- Punch down dough and knead briefly on floured surface until smooth.
- Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Shape each into 12-16 inch loaves by pressing into oval, folding bottom third up and top third down, pinching seams.
- Place loaves on parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 425F. Place water pan on bottom rack.
- Score three diagonal cuts across each loaf.
- Bake 22-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Dough will be slightly sticky. Keep loaves covered while shaping remaining portions.
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