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Easy Homemade French Bread

Tina Watson
Homemade French bread has never been easier! You're going to LOVE this light, fluffy loaf!
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Equipment

  • 1 stand mixer with dough hook
  • 1 cooling rack
  • 1 French bread loaf pan
  • 1 basting brush
  • 1 mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 1-1/2 TBS instant dry yeast
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 1-1/2 tsp salt
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg beaten

Instructions
 

  • In stand mixer, add water, yeast, salt & 1/2 of the flour. Knead on slow speed until the flour starts to combine. Increase speed & add the remaining flour. Mix until dough pulls away from the sides.
  • Transfer dough to a lightly greased mixing bowl, cover with a towel & let rise until double in size, about 1 hour.
  • Divide dough in 1/2. Roll up tightly from the long end. Place onto lightly greased baking sheet or French loaf bread pan. Cover & let rise 30-45 minutes.
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  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Use sharp knife & cut diagonal slashes on the top of each loaf, about 1/4 inch deep. Brush loaves with beaten eggs.
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  • Bake for 35-40 minutes, until golden brown. Enjoy!
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Notes

I use olive oil for greasing my mixing bowl & my loaf pan. This recipe will make 2 loaves of french bread. It freezes really well. I snuggly wrap it in plastic wrap & place it in a large ziplock baggy & it'll keep for several months in the freezer this way. When you want to use it, just remove it from the freezer & allow it to thaw completely before using.