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Mastering French Bread

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A delightful journey into baking homemade French bread with a golden crust and airy interior.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups of bread flour
  • 2 teaspoons of salt
  • 2 teaspoons of yeast
  • 1 and ½ cups of warm water (100-110°F)

Instructions

  1. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine bread flour, salt, and yeast. Whisk well.
  2. Add Water: Gradually pour in warm water and mix until you achieve a sticky dough.
  3. Knead the Dough: Transfer to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes.
  4. First Rise: Place in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise for 1-2 hours until doubled.
  5. Shape the Loaf: Punch down the dough, shape into a loaf or baguette.
  6. Second Rise: Place on a baking sheet, cover with a towel, and let rise for 30-45 minutes.
  7. Preheat the Oven: Preheat to 475°F and add a baking tray to the bottom rack.
  8. Score the Bread: Make diagonal cuts on the top of the loaves before baking.
  9. Add Steam and Bake: Pour hot water into the skillet and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
  10. Cool: Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes.

Notes

Experiment with flavors by adding herbs or cheese. Store leftover bread in a cloth to maintain freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: French bread, baking, homemade bread, baguette, comfort food

Find it online: https://sprinklespoon.com/french-bread/