Crusty French Bread
Easy delicious & perfect French bread every time!
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water - 110 degrees
- 1 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 5 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp olive oil + more for oiling the bowl
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Heat water to 110 degrees. Add the yeast & sugar & stir gently to dissolve. Let the yeast water stand to proof for 10 minutes.
- Add 3 cups of flour to the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attached. Add in a tablespoon of olive oil & the salt.
- When the yeast is finished proofing, pour it into the mixer & stir on low for a couple minutes.
- Turn the mixer off & add in the remaining 2 cups of flour. Gently stir to combine. Once the flour is mostly incorporated, turn the mixer to the #4 setting & set a timer for 10 minutes. The dough should start to look smooth & elastic, with nothing stuck to the sides of the bowl (but the dough will look as though it's sticking to the bottom of the bowl).
- Toward the end of the kneading time, pour a little olive oil in a large bowl & spread it around with your fingers to make sure all the sides are coated. Use the oily hand to remove the dough from the mixer bowl & the dough hook.
- Shape the dough into a ball & set it in the oiled bowl. Turn to coat on all sides. Cover & let rise for about an hour, or until doubled in size.
- Punch the dough down in the center. Separate into two equal parts & shape into loaves. Slice indentations in the tops of the loaves. Cover & let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375 for 30-35 minutes or until the tops are golden brown & the bread sounds hollow when you tap on it. ENJOY!!!