French Bread Recipe – 1 Stunning Loaf, Crisp & Chewy Perfection
This classic French bread features a crisp golden crust and a soft, airy interior. Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or served alongside soups and salads.
Equipment
- Stand Mixer
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 1/4 cups warm water 112° to 115°F
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast about 2 1/4 tsp
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp unsalted butter softened
- 5 cups bread flour
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 1 1/8 cups of the warm water with the sugar and yeast. Whisk until combined and let sit for 5–7 minutes until foamy.
- Add the remaining water, salt, softened butter, and bread flour to the bowl. Mix with the dough hook attachment on medium speed for 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for 90 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 1–2 minutes and divide into 3 equal portions.
- Shape each portion into a baguette by rolling into a long, thin loaf. Place the loaves on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cover the loaves with a clean towel and let them rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Using a sharp knife, make diagonal slashes on top of each loaf.
- Bake the loaves for 25 minutes or until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped on the bottom. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
For a crustier loaf, place a pan of water on the bottom rack of the oven during baking to create steam. This helps develop a crisp crust.