French Bread

You can bake this delicious French bread in one hour. Soft on the inside and crisp on the outside, it’s perfect for making garlic bread or serving with butter and jam. 

Reasons to make this French bread:

• It’s the perfect accompaniment to most dishes and rounds out any meal perfectly 
• It’s fast to make – it’s ready in one hour
• You can make garlic bread with it to serve with lasagna, spaghetti, chicken alfredo, and other Italian meal 
• You can serve it for breakfast with butter and jam 
• You can use it for making breadcrumbs and croutons 

Just six simple ingredients needed:

• Flour, bread or all purpose 
• Lukewarm water, I use our well water from the tap and just test the temperature with my hand. If it’s too hot for me, it’s not lukewarm. But technically you want it around 110 degrees, warm but not too hot otherwise it will kill the yeast 
• Sugar
• Salt 
• Yeast, instant or active dry work equally well 
• Oil, I use olive oil for everything but avocado, vegetable, or canola work too

Simple Steps to make the French bread:

• Mix up the dough in a mixer or by hand. Knead to make a soft, smooth dough.
• Place dough on floured surface and with your hands shape into a rectangle. Cut the rectangle in half lengthwise with a dough cutter or knife.
• Roll each baguette until smooth and about 12 inches long

• Place in baguette pan or on any cooking sheet, cover with a cloth, and let rise for 30 minutes.
• Cut 4-5 diagonal slits on the top of each loaf. 
• Bake in preheated 425 degree oven for 20 minutes or until nicely browned on top and bottom. 
• Let cool and enjoy!

I make this into garlic bread to serve with lasagna or spaghetti. Simply slice each baguette in half lengthwise, spread softened butter on each slice, sprinkle generously and evenly with garlic powder, and bake in 400 degree oven for about 10 minutes, finishing it over on broil for just a minute to give it a nicely browned top. 

Enjoy this easy bread recipe! 
~Rachel Ballinger 🥖💕

”A lot of living happens in the kitchen.”   ~Rachel

Rachel Ballinger

French Bread

You can bake this delicious French bread in one hour. Soft on the inside and crisp on the outside, it’s perfect for making garlic bread or serving with butter and jam.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 2 Baguettes

Course: Bread

Cuisine: French

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 3-4 cups all-purpose flour

Method

 

1. Mix and knead till dough is nice and smooth, about 5 minutes.
2. Place dough on floured surface and make a rectangle. Cut the dough in half lengthwise and roll each piece to shape nice smooth loaves. Place in a baguette pan, cover with a towel, and let rise for 30 minutes.
3. Using a serrated knife, cut 4-5 diagonal slits into the top of each loaf. Bake in preheated 425 degree oven for 20 minutes or until nicely browned on top and bottom.