Golden Crusty French Bread Recipe: Rustic Homemade Bakery Magic

Warm, golden loaves of french bread rise from humble ingredients, promising a delightful culinary journey that connects generations of bakers.

Crisp crusts and soft, pillowy interiors speak to the magic of simple, traditional baking techniques.

The french bread recipe we’re exploring today brings the charm of artisan bakeries right into your kitchen.

Kneading dough becomes a meditative process that transforms basic flour, water, yeast, and salt into something extraordinarily comforting.

Each step in crafting this bread tells a story of patience and passion.

The aroma of freshly baked bread will fill your home with warmth and nostalgia.

Roll up your sleeves and let’s create a bread that celebrates the timeless art of homemade baking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 2

Homemade Bakery French Bread Ingredient Essentials

• Warm Water: Kickstarts yeast growth and helps create a perfect dough environment.
• Active Dry Yeast: Magical microorganism that makes bread rise and develop rich flavor.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and helps create beautiful golden crust with sweet undertones.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and classic French bread texture.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast fermentation process.

• Olive Oil: Adds subtle richness and helps create smooth, pliable dough.
• Cornmeal: Prevents sticking and creates delightful crispy bottom on bread.
• Egg Wash: Creates gorgeous glossy golden exterior with professional bakery shine.

Tools That Help You Knead, Rise, and Bake Like a Baker

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining and kneading bread ingredients.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps mix and stir ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap: Covers dough during rising period.
• Baking sheet: Provides surface for shaping and baking bread.
• Sharp knife or bread lame: Creates decorative slashes on bread surface.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows bread to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Kitchen scale (optional): Helps precise ingredient weighing for consistent results.

How to Make Homemade French Bread With Bakery Vibes

• Activate Yeast Mixture

Mix warm water, yeast, and sugar in a small bowl. Let the mixture sit and become frothy, which signals the yeast is ready to work its magic.

• Create Dough Base

Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Pour in the activated yeast mixture and olive oil. Knead the ingredients until a smooth, elastic dough forms.

• First Rise

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rest in a warm spot for about an hour until it doubles in size.

• Shape the Loaf

Punch down the risen dough and transfer to a floured surface. Gently roll and shape into a classic long French bread shape.

• Second Rise

Position the shaped loaf on a baking sheet. Cover and let rise again for about 30 minutes until puffy.

• Prepare for Baking

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Make diagonal slashes across the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the bread turns a beautiful golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

• Cool and Enjoy

Remove bread from oven and let cool on a wire rack. Slice and serve warm for the most delightful homemade bread experience.

Variations Like Herbs, Garlic, or Cheese Swirls

• Yeast Activation Secret: Always use lukewarm water between 100-110°F to perfectly activate the yeast without killing it, ensuring a soft and fluffy bread texture.
• Kneading Magic: Knead the dough for at least 8-10 minutes to develop strong gluten strands, which create that classic chewy French bread structure and prevent a dense, heavy loaf.
• Storage Savvy: Wrap freshly baked bread in a clean kitchen towel to maintain moisture, and store at room temperature for 2-3 days or freeze for up to a month to enjoy later.
• Gluten-Free Twist: Replace wheat flour with a high-quality gluten-free bread flour blend and add xanthan gum to mimic traditional bread's texture and rise for those with dietary restrictions.
• Flavor Boost: Experiment with adding herbs like rosemary, thyme, or garlic powder directly into the dough for a gourmet homemade bread experience that elevates the classic recipe.

Serve With Soup, Sandwiches, or Olive Oil

• Rustic Sandwich Delight: Slice the freshly baked French bread and layer with premium deli meats, crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and tangy mustard for a restaurant-quality sandwich experience.
• Mediterranean Dipping Feast: Cut bread into chunks and serve alongside extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, or herb-infused dips for a classic appetizer that brings Mediterranean flavors to your table.
• Breakfast Toast Upgrade: Toast thin slices and top with creamy avocado, poached eggs, crumbled feta cheese, or sweet fruit preserves for a gourmet morning meal that transforms simple bread into a culinary masterpiece.
• Soup's Perfect Companion: Break bread into rustic pieces and use as a crunchy, absorbent side to soak up rich soups, hearty stews, or creamy chowders, adding texture and depth to your comfort food.

Keep Bread Fresh With These Storage Tips

• Freshness First: Store your French bread in a paper bag at room temperature for 2-3 days to maintain its crispy crust and soft interior.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Wrap the bread tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out when storing for longer periods.
• Freezing Magic: Slice the bread before freezing for easy portioning. Place in a freezer-safe bag and keep up to 3 months, thawing at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
• Revive and Refresh: Quickly restore day-old bread's texture by spritzing with water and warming in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes, bringing back that fresh-baked crispness.

Rustic Homemade Bakery French Bread Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Homemade bakery French bread brings the essence of Paris right to kitchen counters. Crisp golden crust and pillowy interior invite passionate bakers to savor authentic French culinary traditions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 packet (7 grams / 2 ¼ tsps) active dry yeast
• 4 cups (500 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) warm water
• 1 ½ tsps salt
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) sugar
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) water

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Dissolve yeast in warm water with sugar, allowing the mixture to become foamy and alive for 5-10 minutes, signaling its readiness.
2. Dough Foundation: Merge flour and salt in a spacious mixing bowl, crafting a central crater to receive the liquid ingredients with precision.
3. Dough Formation: Introduce the activated yeast into the flour basin, gently blending until a cohesive, slightly rough dough emerges, integrating all components seamlessly.
4. Kneading Technique: Transfer the dough to a lightly dusted surface, working it vigorously for 8-10 minutes to develop a smooth, springy consistency that springs back when touched.
5. First Fermentation: Nestle the dough in a lightly oiled vessel, drape with a moisture-laden cloth, and allow it to rest in a tranquil, warmth-embraced environment until it expands to double its original volume.
6. Shaping Artistry: Tenderly deflate the risen dough, molding it into an elongated, elegant loaf on a baking sheet, then score diagonal slashes across the surface to facilitate steam escape and create a classic French bread aesthetic.
7. Second Proofing: Grant the shaped loaf additional resting time, permitting it to become airy and voluminous while preheating the oven to a blazing temperature.
8. Steam Baking: Position a shallow water pan on the oven’s lower rack to generate moisture, then slide the bread into the heated chamber, baking until it transforms into a golden, crusty masterpiece with a resonant hollow tone when tapped.
9. Cooling Ritual: Extract the bread from the oven and transfer to a wire rack, allowing the crust to crisp and the interior to stabilize, completing the French bread’s transformative journey.

Notes

• Check Yeast Freshness: Ensure your yeast is active and not expired by observing a frothy, bubbly reaction during activation.
• Master Kneading Technique: Develop a smooth, elastic dough by applying consistent pressure and stretching motions during the 8-10 minute kneading process.
• Control Rising Environment: Place dough in a warm, draft-free spot like a turned-off oven with a pan of warm water to ensure optimal rising conditions.
• Steam Matters: Create authentic French bread crust by adding a shallow water pan in the oven, which helps develop a crispy, golden exterior and soft interior.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 3 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg