Crusty French Bread is wonderfully easy to make with a crisp golden-brown crust and soft inside. Perfect for topping with butter.
This delicious Bread makes the perfect side to go with any of your favorite family meals. Also try my French Bread Rolls or Parker House Rolls if you want an easier to share bread that you don’t have to slice.
Why You’ll Love This Crusty French Bread?
- Simple pantry staples like bread flour, yeast, and a little sugar come together to make two deliciously crusty loaves.
- Including rising time this recipe takes about two hours, so you’re not dedicating your whole day to making homemade bread.
Sabrina’s Crusty French Bread Recipe
Even if you’re new to baking bread, following this Crusty French Bread recipe makes a perfectly airy loaf with the crispiest crust quite approachable. I love serving this with a bowl of Tomato Basil Soup for dipping. The soft center soaks up the delicious broth, while the amazing crust adds a bit of crunch. Or to stay on theme, serve it up with our French Onion Soup. A little attention when baking can make all the difference, so be sure to read my Chef’s Note about achieving the perfect loaf.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
- 2 cups warm water , 110-115 degrees
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 5 1/2 cups bread flour
- 1/4 cup cornmeal
Instructions
- In your stand mixer add the active dry yeast and the warm water, stir and let sit for 1 minute.
- Add in the sugar, salt and 3 cups of the flour, with a paddle attachment on low speed until combined.
- Switch to dough hook and add in flour in ½ cup increments until smooth and elastic, kneading in the stand mixer for 7-9 minutes total.
- Grease a large bowl, add the dough to the bowl and cover with a floured cotton towel in a warm place.
- Let rise for 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough, remove to a floured surface and cut in half.
- Sprinkle cornmeal onto 2 baking sheets.
- Shape each half into a long loaf shape about 12″ long (seam side down) and place each loaf onto baking sheet.
- Cover each sheet with a dry cotton towel and let rise another 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Cut a three shallow lines across the middle of the top of each loaf at an angle.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Nutrition
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Chef’s Note
You want your French Bread recipe to have that classic crispy crust, but if the entire recipe is turning out too hard, it could mean that you’re overcooking it. To stop the bread from drying out in the oven, make sure you set a timer. You can also use an oven thermometer to double-check that your oven isn’t running too hot.
Table of contents
Can this be made ahead of time?
This is best served fresh, however you can make it in advance. Let the loaf of bread cool completely. Store it in a bread box, plastic storage bag or wrap it in tin foil. It’ll stay fresh at room temperature for 2-3 days.
How to Store
- Serve: Let it cool for 15 minutes before slicing into the loaves, and serve with softened butter, or whichever way you prefer to enjoy this tasty bread.
- Store: If it’s too humid in your house, or you don’t have counter space to store, you can use the fridge. Put in an airtight container before placing it in the refrigerator. Remember it’ll probably be good for about a day.
- Freeze: You can also freeze your loaves. Once completely cool, place them in airtight freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve, wrap the frozen loaf loosely in foil and warm it in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to help crisp the crust.
Ideas to Serve
- Garlic: You can use this recipe to make amazing Garlic Bread. Just mash together ½ cup softened, unsalted butter, 3 cloves minced garlic, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and 2 tablespoons minced parsley. Then use a sharp knife to cut the baguette in half lengthwise. Spread the butter mixture over the cut side of each half. Then toast in a 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes.
- Cheesy: You can also make a cheesy French bread dish by cutting the loaf in half lengthwise and brushing butter over each half. Then sprinkle on your cheese of choice. Toast it in the oven until melted and enjoy.
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