French Bread

DifficultyIntermediate

Hall started making this french bread during our vacations at WDW and it has become a vacation staple. It is so easy to customize with cheeses and herbs, and it has a wonderful dense, fresh taste that a whole loaf barely last a day. -Janet

Yields1 Serving
Prep Time3 hrsCook Time30 minsTotal Time3 hrs 30 mins
 2 cups Water
 1 tbsp Active Dry Yeast
 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil
 1 tbsp Sugar
 2 tsp Salt
 5 cups Bread Flour
1

Dissolve yeast in warm water (110 degrees) and sugar in mixer bowl; allow yeast to proof or foam (about 10 minutes).
Click for a 10 minute timer

2

Add salt, oil, and 3 cups flour; beat for 2 minutes.
Click for a 2 minute timer

3

Stir in 2 cups flour to make a stiff dough.

4

Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
Click for a 10 minute timer

5

Place in oiled bowl, turn dough to coat all sides, cover and let rise until doubled, about an hour.
Click for a 1 hour timer

6

Punch down and divide in half.

7

Shape dough into two long slender loaves.

8

Grease and sprinkle with cornmeal either a french bread pan or large cookie sheet.

9

Place loaves in pan and cut diagonal gashes on top of each loaf (I use scissors).

10

Cover and let rise until doubled, about an hour.
Click for a 1 hour timer

11

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

12

Bake for about 30 minutes.
Click for a 30 minute timer

TIP
13

Notes: You can sprinkle or spray water on the loaves during baking if you want a really crunchy crust.
After the first proof, while you are shaping the loaves, you can add grated cheese, garlic and other herbs and spices as you wish.

Category

Ingredients

 2 cups Water
 1 tbsp Active Dry Yeast
 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil
 1 tbsp Sugar
 2 tsp Salt
 5 cups Bread Flour

Directions

1

Dissolve yeast in warm water (110 degrees) and sugar in mixer bowl; allow yeast to proof or foam (about 10 minutes).
Click for a 10 minute timer

2

Add salt, oil, and 3 cups flour; beat for 2 minutes.
Click for a 2 minute timer

3

Stir in 2 cups flour to make a stiff dough.

4

Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
Click for a 10 minute timer

5

Place in oiled bowl, turn dough to coat all sides, cover and let rise until doubled, about an hour.
Click for a 1 hour timer

6

Punch down and divide in half.

7

Shape dough into two long slender loaves.

8

Grease and sprinkle with cornmeal either a french bread pan or large cookie sheet.

9

Place loaves in pan and cut diagonal gashes on top of each loaf (I use scissors).

10

Cover and let rise until doubled, about an hour.
Click for a 1 hour timer

11

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

12

Bake for about 30 minutes.
Click for a 30 minute timer

TIP
13

Notes: You can sprinkle or spray water on the loaves during baking if you want a really crunchy crust.
After the first proof, while you are shaping the loaves, you can add grated cheese, garlic and other herbs and spices as you wish.

Notes

French Bread