French Hearth Bread

Perfectly crusty on the outside with a soft and airy interior, French Hearth Bread brings the rustic charm of an artisan bakery straight to your kitchen. This classic recipe combines simple pantry staples—bread flour, yeast, water, and a hint of sea salt—to create a loaf that’s as versatile as it is delicious. With just a bit of kneading and a rise time that rewards your patience, this bread achieves its signature texture and flavor. A steamy oven ensures a beautifully golden crust, ideal for soup pairings, sandwiches, or a drizzle of olive oil. Whether you’re an experienced baker or new to bread-making, this recipe is your go-to guide for authentic French-style baking at home.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:180 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:215 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 500 grams bread flour
• 350 milliliters lukewarm water
• 7 grams active dry yeast
• 10 grams fine sea salt
• 5 grams granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for greasing)

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine 100 milliliters of lukewarm water, the sugar, and the active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour and sea salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the yeast mixture and the remaining 250 milliliters of lukewarm water.

Step 3

Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 4

Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly floured surface. Knead for about 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.

Step 5

Place the dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for 1.5–2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 6

Punch down the dough and transfer it back to the floured surface. Shape it into a round or oval loaf. Place the shaped dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or a floured baking peel if using a baking stone.

Step 7

Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise again for 30–45 minutes, until it puffs up slightly.

Step 8

Preheat your oven to 240°C (465°F). If using a baking stone, place it in the oven while preheating. Add a shallow pan of water to the bottom of the oven to create steam, which helps form a crisp crust.

Step 9

Using a sharp knife or bread lame, score the top of the dough with a few diagonal slashes to allow it to expand during baking.

Step 10

Bake the bread for 30–35 minutes, or until it develops a deep golden crust and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 11

Cool the bread on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	890.6 grams (890.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1976

Total Fat 21.40g	27%
Saturated Fat 3.40g	17%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3894mg	169%
Total Carbohydrate 387.70g	141%
Dietary Fiber 14.90g	53%
Total Sugars 6.50g
Protein 62.70g	125%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 77mg	6%
Iron 22mg	124%
Potassium 641mg	14%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 9.7%

Protein: 12.6%

Carbs: 77.8%