Description
This Soft Fluffy French Bread recipe yields light and airy loaves with a tender crumb and a golden crust. Perfect for sandwiches or as a side, it combines simple ingredients and straightforward steps to create a classic French favorite with a soft texture that’s easy to slice and enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
Others
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing)
- 1 egg white mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Stir in the salt and 2 cups of all-purpose flour into the yeast mixture. Mix until smooth, then gradually add the remaining flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes until it is smooth and elastic, which develops gluten for texture.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat all sides. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until the dough doubles in size.
- Shape Loaves: Punch down the risen dough and divide it in half. Shape each half into a long loaf and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and allow them to rise again for 30–40 minutes.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the loaves gently with the egg white and water mixture to give them a shiny finish. Make 3–4 shallow diagonal slashes on top of each loaf with a sharp knife to allow expansion during baking.
- Bake: Place the loaves in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool Bread: Remove the loaves from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to preserve their soft texture.
Notes
- Covering the bread with a clean towel while cooling helps keep the crust soft.
- For a crisper crust, place a pan of water in the oven during baking to add steam.
- Once fully cooled, loaves can be frozen by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for later use.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
