• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Midnight Baker

Easy to make main meal and dessert recipes.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Text Index
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Box
  • About Me
    • Media/PR
    • Cookbooks
      • The Classic Slow Cooker
      • The Cupboard To Table Cookbook
    • Contact
    • Privacy
Home » Breads » French Bread

French Bread

January 4, 2014 by Judith Hannemann

Pin
Share
Tweet
Share

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
French Bread #FrenchBreadRecipe #YeastBreads #BreadRecipes
French Bread

This French bread recipe is surprisingly easy to make and has an authentic bakery taste.

This French bread is the most authentic recipe I ever found. The biggest surprise here is the source.

 

French Bread #FrenchBreadRecipe #YeastBreads #BreadRecipes
French Bread Sliced

That source is the 1956 edition of Betty Crocker’s cookbook. The heck you say! But I tell the truth.  I’ve tried many and this is the best.  The curious thing is, this version of the recipe is ONLY in the 1956 edition.  I have the 1951 edition and it’s different and NOT so good.  Later editions had different recipes and again, not as good.

They key here is the 2 rising periods in addition to the rise after it’s shaped.  This gives the dough an incredible taste AND texture.  It’s easy to make, but there’s time involved because of the additional rise.  Don’t try to save time and eliminate that second rise…the results will be poor and the additional time invested pays off in silver dollars.  Trust me, I tried and it doesn’t come out as good.

 

French Bread #FrenchBreadRecipe #YeastBreads #BreadRecipes
Apply Butter Liberally

The crispiness of the crust comes from brushing the top twice with cold water. Then half way through the baking time, brushing it with an egg white wash. Commercial ovens have a steam cycle which accomplishes this (much better actually) and you can sort of achieve a similar effect by tossing a couple of ice cubes on the floor of your oven when you put the bread in to bake.

 

French Bread #FrenchBreadRecipe #YeastBreads #BreadRecipes
Large crusty loaf

 

 

 

Print Recipe Add to Recipe Box Go to Collections Pin Recipe

French Bread

This French bread recipe is surprisingly easy to make and has an authentic bakery taste.
Prep Time2 hrs 30 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time2 hrs 50 mins
Course: breads
Cuisine: French
Keyword: bread dough, bread recipe, French bread
Servings: 12 people
Calories: 157kcal
Author: Judith Hannemann

Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 1 1/4 cups very warm water 95 degrees F
  • 3 tbsp shortening i.e. Crisco
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 1/2 tsp instant yeast bread machine or SAF
  • 3-4 cups bread flour all-purpose is fine too

For Top of Loaf:

  • cold water

Egg White Glaze:

  • 1 large egg white
  • 2 tbsp cold water

Optional Toppings:

  • Sesame seeds
  • Poppy Seeds

For Pan:

  • 2 tbsp yellow cornmeal or semolina flour

Instructions

  • Mix all dough ingredients. Start with the minimum amount of flour. Dough should be silky but not sticky and have a firmish texture.
  • Knead either by machine or hand. With machine, attach dough hook and knead for 5-8 minutes. Knead by hand 8-10 minutes.
  • You may use a bread machine for the mixing and first rise. Follow manufacturer's directions for adding ingredients and use the "DOUGH" cycle.
  • Place a little oil in a large bowl. Place dough in bowl, coating bottom of dough with the oil. Turn dough oil side up and cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until double in bulk, about 1 hour.
  • (I use the oven-rise method. Before you put the bowl of dough in, turn on the oven. Let it run for about 30 seconds once you hear the heat come up, then turn the oven off. Put the bowl of dough in and it rises in the perfect environment)
  • When dough is double in bulk, punch down, cover and let rise again until double in bulk; about 30 minutes. If you are using a bread machine, if there is a cycle for a 2nd rise, use that. If not, remove and follow directions from placing in the oiled bowl.
  • When the 2nd rise is up, punch down dough and roll out in a 10 x 15 -inch rectangle. Roll up tightly from long side; seal seam. Roll the log of dough by placing hands at the 2 ends thus ending up with skinnier ends and a fatter middle.
  • Place parchment paper on a large baking sheet. Dust with the cornmeal or semolina flour. *If not using parchment, grease baking sheet lightly and sprinkle with the cornmeal/semolina flour.
  • Place shaped dough on prepared baking sheet. With sharp knife or razor blade, cut a 1/4-inch deep slit down center or make 3 short diagonal slashes across top of dough. Brush top with cold water.
  • Let rise UNCOVERED in a warm draft-free place (I use the unlit oven) for 1 1/2 hrs.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Brush top of loaf again with cold water.
  • Mix the water with the egg white and set aside.
  • Bake bread for 20 minutes. Brush with egg white glaze and sprinkle with a topping if using. Return to oven and bake an additional 25 minutes.
  • Makes 1 large loaf.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 298mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @midnitebaker or tag #midnitebaker!



 

French Bread #FrenchBreadRecipe #YeastBreads #BreadRecipes
French Bread

 

French Bread #FrenchBreadRecipe #YeastBreads #BreadRecipes
Apply butter liberally

 

Copyright © Judith Hannemann aka The Midnight Baker 2014. All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without The Midnight Baker’s express consent.
  
Follow The Midnight Baker’s board Midnight Baker’s Slow Cooker Recipes on Pinterest.

Pin
Share
Tweet
Share

Filed Under: Breads Tagged With: authentic french bread, bakery bread, betty crocker cookbook, easy bread recipes, egg white wash, french bread, french bread recipe

You May Also Like

Even if you don't have bread-baking skills, you can make this easy peasant bread.
No-Knead Peasant Bread
Easy Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Shirley’s French Honey Bread
Previous Post: « Shirley’s French Honey Bread
Next Post: Loaded Shepherd’s Pie »
Copyright © Judith Hannemann aka The Midnight Baker 2022. All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without The Midnight Baker's express consent.

Primary Sidebar

Now Available

bakeatmidnite
ALSO AVAILABLE bakeatmidnite

Follow by Email! Get the e-Cookbook

“Must Try” Recipes

Maple Glazed Short Ribs

Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Short Ribs

Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Tangy Cornish hens with a great orange and ginger flavor. Use small chickens too!

Orange Ginger Cornish Hens

Air fryer pecan crusted chicken strips

Air Fryer Pecan Crusted Chicken Strips

bakeatmidnite

Footer

bakeatmidnite
my foodgawker gallery Certified Yummly Recipes on Yummly.com
bakeatmidnite
COPYRIGHT © 2023 • BAKEATMIDNITE.COM • PRIVACY POLICY