The Best Soft French Bread
This soft and fluffy french bread is better than store-bought and so easy to make!
Dovetailing Tip: Double your recipe and use the additional loaves for day 5 French Bread Pizza.
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Total Time:
Ingredients:
| 2 1/4 cups | warm water |
| 1 tablespoon | yeast |
| 2 tablespoons | sugar |
| 1 tablespoon | salt |
| 2 tablespoons | oils |
| 5 to 6 cups | flour |
| 1 teaspoon | cornmeal |
| 1 | egg |
Directions:
In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water. Let sit until foamy and bubbly. Add the salt, oil, and 3 cups of flour, and mix until smooth. Add additional flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and doesn't stick to your finger when tapped lightly. Let the dough rest ten minutes, then stir it down (I just turn my mixer on for a few seconds). Repeat four more times, stirring the dough down in between the rise intervals.
Prepare a baking sheet by lining with parchment or silicone and sprinkling with cornmeal. Divide the dough in half, then roll each half out into a rectangle that is approximately 9 inches by 13 inches. Starting at the long side, roll the dough up into a long cylinder. Place seam side down on the prepared baking sheet, and repeat with remaining dough. Cut 3-4 slashes in the top of each loaf with a sharp knife. Cover lightly and let rise 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg with a splash of water to make an egg wash. Brush the egg wash over the surface of both loaves. Bake 30 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped.
Source: thebakerupstairs.com
