FABULOUS FRENCH BREAD

5 from 3 votes

French Bread made with simple ingredients at home! In under 2 hours you'll have 2 large loaves of delicious homemade French Bread.

Prep Time1

Cook Time25

Total Time1 25

Course: bread

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Homemade French Bread

Servings:

Calories: 329kcal

Author: Jessica & Nellie

Ingredients

1 TBSP shortening
2 tsp salt
2 TBSP sugar
1 cup boiling water
1/3 cup warm water
1 cup cold water
1 TBSP yeast
5 - 6 cups white all purpose OR bread flour
1 egg

Instructions

Place the 1 cup hot water in the microwave for 3 minutes to get it boiling.
Dissolve the yeast into the warm water. Stir it around until it is all mixed.
Combine the salt, shortening, and sugar in the bottom of your mixer with a fork or use your mixer's whisk attachment. Pour the boiling water over the shortening mixture. Mix slightly to combine.
Pour the cold water in next. Then pour in the yeast mixture.
Begin to add the flour, one cup at a time, until the dough pulls away from the side of your mixer. The dough should be tacky but not sticky.
Let the dough mix on high (using the dough hook) for 8 minutes.
Let the dough rise in the mixer for about 20 minutes. {This step can actually be skipped if you are in a hurry, but I recommend it as it allows the dough the chance to rest and improves the flavor and texture.}
Separate the dough into two parts and place on a large jelly roll pan sprayed with cooking spray. Let the dough sit for about 5 minutes. Letting it sit will make it MUCH easier to shape.
Spread the dough out with your hands. Stretch it slightly until you have an oval about 1" in thickness. Roll the dough up into a log shape. Take the ends of the log and fold them into the middle, with the ends touching. Turn the loaf seam-side down onto a greased pan. Repeat with remaining dough.
Using a sharp knife, quickly cut 3 diagonal slits into the top of each loaf.
Whisk egg until frothy. Cover loaves with egg wash, making sure to get in each slit.
Place the loaves in a warm 170 degree F oven and let rise for about 15 minutes.
Turn the oven up to 400 degrees F and re-set your timer for 15 minutes. {Leave the loaves in while the oven increases in temperature.}
Turn the oven down to 350 degrees and turn the pan around in the oven. Bake for another 10-12 minutes, until the loaves are a nice golden brown. If you prefer crustier loaves, mist the outside with water a few times during the final 10 minutes of baking.

Nutrition