Crusty French Loaf
A delicate texture makes this French bread absolutely wonderful. I sometimes use this French bread recipe to make breadsticks, which I brush with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder. —Deanna Naivar, Temple, Texas
Ingredients
- 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 to 3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- Cornmeal
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon cold water
Reviews
Contrary to one of the comments, you do not need to add sugar for dough to rise. Some bread recipes call for only flour, water, salt, and yeast.. Bread flour or all-purpose flour is about 72 percent starch, which the yeast can convert into a usable form of sugar. The dough might take a little longer to rise, but it will rise. As an experiment, I once made bread from the wild yeast on a bunch of grapes from the yard, no sugar added. I wouldn't recommend it because the bread didn't taste good--but the dough did rise.
I followed the recipe, and it turned out fantastic! I will keep this recipe! The next time I make this, I am going to cut my loaf before my last rise. I tested two different recipes at the same time, and the other recipe I tried from another website suggested making the cuts on the top of the bread before the last rise before baking. Other than that, this bread was just like store bought french bread from my local bakery, and so much CHEAPER!!
I agree it's more like Italian bread- but easy and tasty bread.
I made this today, had absolutely no problems, after two cups of flour I just added flour slowly but I think it was just about 31/2 cups. So soft and delicious. So quick to make and so worth it. Thumbs up
Incredible recipe! However, mine turns out more like Italian bread than French. I have made it several times (and everyone loves it), but I allow for a longer time rising during each session. If you have a lot of humidity in your house, that might make a difference and might cause the final loaf being flattened. I do use olive oil instead of canola. I also use 2 1/2 cups of flour and gradually go up to the 3 cups in the recipe depending how it is reacting during the kneading process.
I wish this bread turned out better than it did. It sure smelled good baking. However... it was nothing like the French bread I know and love. Would have been better getting it from the grocery store bakery. This bread was bake exactly according to recipe. It was very heavy, dense, and tasted terrible.
Full of flavor!! I was skeptical about the amount of sugar involved thinking would be sweet, not at all, the salt amount balances it very well. Yes, It's a dens bread, chewy I would say. I have made many breads this one by far is one of my favorites because it feels very homemade style. Im guessing some might hove found it too dense if they left the dough too dry to touch. I suggest you use 2.5 cups of flour then add little by little after until you get the desired texture. Yummy yummy bread.
Sorry, this was not a great bread. I do a lot of baking and followed this recipe exactly. The bread was heavy, dense and flatter than expected. Not what I expected. Find another recipe!
This is glorious and turned out just like the bread I used to make, I do like a much longer rise time, since I have the time now. Making more loaves today! SO is super happy and a happy SO is a happy household. Thank you <3
I’m going to try this today, but just a warning to danielleylee. If you omit sugar completely, your bread won’t rise. Yeast needs sugar!