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–+ servings
A piece of buttered French bread and a heel of bread leaning against a full French loaf.

Crusty French Bread

Perfectly crusty french bread. Slather it with butter, dip it in a stew, drip the crumbs all over everything you own!
4.93 from 14 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Rising Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Bread, Side Dish
Servings 2 Medium Loaves
Calories 508 kcal

Equipment

  • Pizza stone or cookie sheet

Ingredients
  

  • 1 packet active dry yeast 2 ¼ teaspoons
  • 2 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup warm water 110-115° F
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoon salt
  • 3½-3¾ cup all-purpose flour divided
  • cornmeal

Egg wash

  • 1 egg white
  • 1 teaspoon water cold

Instructions
 

  • Place sugar, water, and yeast in the bowl of a mixer and mix lightly. Then, add the oil, salt, and 2½ cups of flour to the bowl. Mix dough until mostly combined.
  • Add 1 ¼ cups of flour and allow it to mix in. Then, continue to add flour ( up to ¼ cup) just until the dough stops sticking to the bottom of the bowl. Increase the speed of the mixer to 2 and knead dough for about 8 minutes.
  • Place dough ball into a lightly oiled bowl, coating each side. Cover the bowl lightly and allow the dough to rise for 1 ½ hours, or until it has doubled in size.
  • Punch down dough, then re-cover and let it rise for an additional ½ hour.
  • Place a pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet in the oven, then preheat the oven to 375°F. If you have a pizza paddle, sprinkle it with cornmeal. If you don't, line a rimless baking sheet with parchment paper, then sprinkle it with cornmeal.
  • Divide the dough in two and gently roll each between your hands until they're approximately 10 inches long and tapered at the ends. Place the loaves on either the pizza paddle or baking sheet. Then, allow the dough to rise for ½ hour, uncovered.
  • Prepare the egg wash by beating together the water and egg white. Brush the tops and sides of the loaves with the egg wash.
  • Slide loaves onto the heated pizza stone or baking sheet (without the parchment paper) and cook for 25 minutes, until loaves are golden brown.
  • If you are not eating the bread immediately, allow the loaves to cool completely before storing. Use bread within 2-3 days or freeze in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5loavesCalories: 508kcalCarbohydrates: 91gProtein: 12gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 1173mgPotassium: 10mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gCalcium: 1mg
Keyword baking, Bread, Crispy, Crusty, French, french bread, french loaf, garlic bread, homemade bread, Toast
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