Description
This simple French bread recipe yields a golden, crusty loaf with a soft, airy interior. Perfect for beginners, it’s ideal for serving alongside soups, salads, or enjoying with butter.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water and stir in the yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
- Add flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf.
- Place the loaf on a baking sheet, make shallow slashes on top with a sharp knife, and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Let it cool before slicing.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, mist the bread with water before baking.
- Store leftover bread in a paper bag for best freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes