This is seriously the easiest bread recipe you will ever make! It’s also, if I dare say, one of the most delicious. You honestly cannot mess this bread up and the results will leave you coming back for more and more… and more. It’s fairly quick, super easy and amazingly delicious! It is also a perfect addition to any meal.
In a few minutes, you too can be shoving fistfuls of this fluffy bread in your mouth just like this little guy. 🙂
But seriously, don’t we all eat bread like that! It’s too good not to.
To make this fabulous french bread, start by adding all of your ingredients, adding only 3 cups of flour to start, in a large mixing bowl. Mix together until incorporated and continue adding the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl and isn’t too sticky. If the dough is still sticky, sprinkle small amounts of flour on top of the dough and incorporate until it is no longer sticky. When touched, it should not be sticking to your fingers.
Knead the dough for about 5-10 minutes. Cover and let the dough rise in the bowl for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, give the dough one quick knead and cover again for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, give another quick knead and cover again for 10 minutes. Repeat until the dough has risen 5 times.
Divide the dough in half.
Roll each half into a long rectangle (the length of a jelly roll pan) to remove any air bubbles.
Roll each rectangle up tightly and pinch the seam together to hold. Fold the two ends towards the seam.
Place each loaf, seam down, onto a large, greased jelly roll pan. With a dough lame (https://amzn.to/2X1rISk) or sharp knife, make 3-4 slashes on top of the bread.
Cover the loaves and let rise for 30 minutes. While rising, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and the internal temperature is 190 degrees F.
Cool on a cooling rack for 10-15 minutes. Slice and enjoy!
Easy French Bread
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Tbsp yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 cups hot water
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1/3 cup oil
- 6 cups flour
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients, adding only 3 cups of flour to start, in a large mixing bowl. Mix until incorporated. Add the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes.
- Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel and let the dough rise for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, give the dough one quick knead then cover and let it sit an additional 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, quickly knead the dough again and cover and let it rise again for 10 minutes. Repeat this process until the dough has risen 5 times.
- Divide the dough in half and roll each half into a large rectangle. Roll the dough up tightly, to form a loaf, and pinch the seam together. Fold each end into the seam.
- Place both loaves, seam down, onto a greased jelly roll pan and make 3-4 slashes on top of the dough.
- Cover the loaves with a clean dish towel and let them rise for 30 minutes.
- Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and the internal temperature is 190 degrees F.
- Allow the loaves to cool on a cooling rack for 10-15 minutes.
- Slice and enjoy!
