French Bread Dough
Achieve bakery-fresh perfection in your own kitchen with this classic French bread dough recipe! Crafted with just four simple ingredients — all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, salt, and water — this versatile dough transforms into golden, crusty loaves with an irresistibly soft and airy interior. Perfect for making traditional baguettes or rustic boules, this recipe uses time-honored techniques like kneading for elasticity and steam baking for a crisp, artisan-quality crust. With a preparation time of just two hours, you’ll have warm, homemade French bread ideal for serving alongside soups, salads, or as the base for sandwiches. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is your go-to guide for creating freshly-baked perfection sure to impress.
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Ingredients
- 500 grams All-purpose flour
- 325 milliliters Water
- 10 grams Salt
- 7 grams Active dry yeast
Directions
Step 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine 500 grams of all-purpose flour and 7 grams of active dry yeast.
Step 2
Add 325 milliliters of warm water (around 38°C/100°F) to the dry ingredients and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Step 3
Sprinkle in 10 grams of salt and begin kneading the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface or in a stand mixer with a dough hook for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Step 4
Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm environment for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
Step 5
Punch down the dough to release air. Turn it out onto a floured surface and divide it into two equal portions if making two loaves.
Step 6
Shape the dough into your desired form, such as baguettes or boules, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a proofing basket.
Step 7
Cover the shaped dough lightly and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes, or until slightly puffed.
Step 8
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F) and place an empty baking dish or tray on the bottom rack for steam generation.
Step 9
Before baking, slash the tops of the loaves with a sharp knife or bread lame to allow for expansion.
Step 10
Place the bread in the oven and quickly pour a cup of hot water into the preheated baking dish or tray to create steam. Close the oven door immediately.
Step 11
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step 12
Cool the bread completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | 846.7 grams (846.7g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1841 |
| Total Fat 5.20g | 7% |
| Saturated Fat 0.80g | 4% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3955mg | 172% |
| Total Carbohydrate 384.30g | 140% |
| Dietary Fiber 15.00g | 54% |
| Total Sugars 1.10g | |
| Protein 54.30g | 109% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 90mg | 7% |
| Iron 24mg | 131% |
| Potassium 677mg | 14% |
Source of Calories