There's something undeniably irresistible about a freshly baked loaf of French bread. With its crisp golden crust and airy, tender interior, it's the ideal choice for sandwiches or as a side to complement a meal. Do not forget the butter either. The process of making French bread may seem daunting at first, but with a little practice and the right techniques, you can easily master the art of creating this classic bread. In this blog post, I will guide you through the steps to make French bread that will elevate your sandwich or side dish to new heights. I have also added the ingredients in weight and metric volumes. Metric volumes might always vary a little. Weight should be pretty consistent with no margin for variance.
Ingredients:
Bread Flour 700-750 grams or 5.5-6 cups
Water (95° F) 450 grams or 2 cups
Sugar 20 grams or 2 Tablespoons
Instant Yeast 20 grams or 2 Tablespoons
Avocado Oil 20 grams or 2 Tablespoons
Salt 20 grams or 1 Tablespoon
Technique:
Mix Flour and Water with a wet finger. Set aside 20 minutes to autolyze, to create a crispy crust.
Add Salt, Sugar, Yeast, and Oil.
Mix on medium speed in a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment for 8 minutes. Add additional flour or water, depending on the consistency of the dough. Too wet, more flour. Too dry, more water. The dough should be one lump when done, and barely any on the side of the bowl.
Pour dough onto a floured surface and knead with hands for 2 minutes into a ball.
Put into an oiled bowl and cover. Let rise for 1-1.5 hours, depending on ambient temperature. The dough should quadruple in size.
Pour dough onto a floured surface, punch down, and lightly knead into a ball. Cut into 4 equal pieces and knead each ball. Cover with oiled plastic wrap and let rise for 15 minutes.
Shape each ball into loaf shapes. Re-cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes.
Cut diagonal slits in loaves with a sharp knife. Bake for 25-30 minutes in the oven at 375° F.
Cool down on a metal rack. Enjoy with bread & butter, or make a delicious sandwich.
You've successfully created homemade French bread that's perfect for sandwiches or as a side to accompany your favorite dishes. The process of making French bread may require some time and patience, but the results are well worth it. It’s all about practice and it will always be edible in some form, haha. The crisp crust and airy interior of the bread will add a delightful texture and flavor to any sandwich or meal.
Whether you're creating a classic ham and cheese baguette or serving slices of French Bread alongside a hearty soup, your efforts will be rewarded with an authentic taste and the satisfaction of knowing you've made your own French Bread. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and start baking French bread – a culinary adventure that will take your sandwiches and sides to new deliciousness!
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