Today I’m making an Easy French Bread Recipe. This homemade bread recipe produces a light and fluffy loaf with a little kick from my secret ingredient. This soft bread is perfect for a morning sandwich or French toast and simple to make for a beginner bread maker.

Ingredients:

250 ml – warm water
7 g – active dry yeast
25 g – sugar
½ tsp – salt
¼ tsp – ground cinnamon (optional)
30 ml – vegetable oil
450 g – all-purpose flour
1 egg + 1 tbsp milk (for the brush)

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Step 1

In a stand mixer bowl combine the warm water, yeast and sugar. Give it a quick mix and set it in a warm place for 10-15 minutes. We need this step to make sure that the yeast is active.

Step 2

When the yeast mixture slightly rises and you start to see bubbles, add the salt, cinnamon, if you wish, vegetable oil and flour.

Step 3

Using a hook attachment, start kneading the dough on the lowest speed of your mixer for about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the dough onto your work surface and knead the dough by hand for 1 minute. The dough should be soft and not stick to your hands. Place the dough into a large bowl, greased with oil, then cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place. Allow the dough to rise for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

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* My favorite way to proof the dough is my oven with the light turned on.

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Step 4

When the dough doubles in size, we need to deflate it and expel the gases. Transfer the dough onto your work surface and roll it into a large rectangle. Then roll it into a log, starting from a short side.

Step 5

Next, we need to roll it again into a rectangle. Fold the dough in half and keep rolling. Rolling the dough a second time is harder than the first time. To ease the process keep turning and rolling the dough. When you rolled it into a rectangle, roll it into a log starting from the long side and pinch along the seam and ends.

Step 6

Place the roll of dough on a large baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let it proof in a warm place for another 30-40 minutes. When the dough has doubled in size, remove the cover and brush it with a mixture of egg and milk. Brush it gently to not deflate the dough.

Use a sharp knife to cut a few slightly diagonal slashes across the top of the dough. Then bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes. Allow to cool completely before slicing to avoid the bread turning gummy.

The bread is turning out a beautiful golden brown on the outside and incredibly soft and tender on the inside. Enjoy it freshly cut with butter and your favorite jam or use it for a breakfast sandwich or French toast.

Make sure to watch my YouTube video recipe for step-by-step instructions and see how I make this French Bread Recipe! Want new recipe updates? Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Tips to make this easy French Bread Recipe:

Don’t skip a step when proofing the yeast. If the yeast mixture doesn’t slightly rise and you don’t see bubbles, then discard it and use different yeast.
You can knead the dough using a stand mixer or you can knead the dough by hand. If kneading the dough by hand, increase the time to 10-15 minutes.

Proof the dough in a warm place. My favorite way to proof the dough is my oven with the light turned on.
Store your loaf in a bread bag or wrap it in plastic wrap for up to 3 days at room temperature.
You can freeze the bread for up to 2 months in a Ziploc bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight before use.

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If you try this recipe for Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting, let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to snap a pic and tag it #pastrymadness on instagram! Seeing your creations makes my day ♥