Name: Homemade French Bread
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h
Ingredients: 2-1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F); 2 tablespoons dry yeast; 3 tablespoons sugar; 1/3 cup vegetable oil; 1 tablespoon kosher salt; 6 – 7 cups of all-purpose flour; 2-3 tablespoons cornmeal; 1 egg, beaten into an egg wash; 3 tablespoons sesame seeds

Description

This Homemade French Bread recipe is simple to make with a heavy-duty mixer. You can enjoy this yeast bread in just two hours.

Ingredients

Scale

2–1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
2 tablespoons dry yeast
3 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt
6 – 7 cups of all-purpose flour
2–3 tablespoons cornmeal
1 egg, beaten into an egg wash
3 tablespoons sesame seeds

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

In the mixer bowl, proof the yeast in the warm water and sugar for about 2 minutes or until the yeast bubbles and forms up on the surface of the water.
Using the dough hook, add 2 cups of flour, then the oil and salt. Continue spooning in flour until the dough just begins to clean the sides of the mixing bowl.
Mix on low speed for about 3-5 minutes to knead until the dough is smooth. You may want to add an additional 1/4 cup of flour if the dough thins out to stick to the sides of the mixer bowl. But don’t add too much flour since that will make a dry and heavy bread.
Turn off the mixer and let the dough begin to rise.
Set a timer for 10 minutes, then punch down the dough by switching on the mixer for one rotation of the dough hook.
Repeat this 10 minute rest with a punch down five more times.
Just before the last punch down, preheat the oven to 400°F.
Sprinkle corn meal on a baking sheet and set aside.
Sprinkle a light dusting of flour on a counter. Transfer the dough to the flour dusted counter and divide the dough ball in half. Set aside.
Flour your hands and then shape the dough into a long log by rolling and patting it into shape. Tuck in the ends to create a tight end to the loaf.
Carefully pick up the dough and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet.
Repeat the process with the second dough ball.
Using a lame or the tip of a sharp knife, lightly score the top of each loaf several times on an angle.
Let the loaves rise slightly for ten minutes. Then using a pastry brush, carefully apply a light coat of egg wash only on the top.
Sprinkle seeds over each loaf.
Carefully place the baking sheet into the preheated 400°F oven.
Bake the homemade french bread for 30 minutes, until golden brown.
Remove the pan from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
Slice the french bread into slices and serve warm with butter.