French Bread… Fast and Delicious!

IMG_1365Who loves fresh homemade bread? Only everyone! Have I got the best recipe for you! This is seriously the yummiest and easiest bread recipe… and it gets even better…. you can make it in less than hour from start to finish! What? Yup… it’s true! Now hot, fresh bread is so doable for your weeknight or any night dinners. Your family will think you are the best thing…well, since sliced bread!

french bread recipe

Some other things I do with this is make french bread pizzas, french bread sandwiches (think steak and melted cheese… always a good idea!), garlic bread… oh the possibilities are practically endless! Lets get started.

Rustic French Bread

 5-5 ½ c. bread flour

2 tsp. salt

2 ½ tsp. active dry yeast

2 ¼ c. very warm water

Cornmeal

Spray bottle filled with water

 In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, pour in the warm water and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let sit for about 5 minutes, until the yeast has dissolved (it will not bubble). After the yeast has dissolved, add the flour, and then the salt. Turn on the mixer and knead for 6 minutes. Put the dough into a well greased bowl and rise for 20 minutes. Punch down the dough and form into two long loaves. Cut 3-5 diagonal slits on top of each loaf. Spread a thin layer of corn meal on top of a pizza peel or any other portable surface (such as a flat cutting board). Lay the two loaves on top of the corn meal (the corn meal will prevent the loaves from sticking to the surface, making it possible to transfer the loaves to the baking stone or pan). Rise for 20 minutes. In the meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees with the stone in the oven. After the loaves have risen, transfer the loaves to the heated stone. (If you are rising on a baking sheet pan and do not have a baking stone, just put the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for the same time) Quickly spray water on the top and bottom of the oven ten times before closing the oven door. Repeat every seven minutes or so. The steam created from the water will help form a nice crust. Bake for 20-25 minutes and serve warm. Enjoy!

Tammy

Creative Director at Pink Peppermint Design
Tammy Mitchell is the founder and creative director of lifestyle blog pinkpeppermintdesign.com. Along with being a homeschooling mom of two kiddos, she is also an in-demand prop and event stylist, photographer, interior and graphic designer. On Pink Peppermint Design, she shares creative DIY projects, easy entertaining and gift ideas, inspiring interiors and events. She lives in Southern California, with her husband and two children.

French bread

2 thoughts on “French Bread… Fast and Delicious!”

  1. I have ap flour, ww and cake flour. Is bread flour that different? Could I sub or should I add bread flour to my pantry? 🙂

    Reply
    • You can substitute the flour with Ap flour. Make sure to reduce the water to 2 cups instead of the called for 2 1/4 c. Water. Bread flour has a higher gluten content which gives bread a chewier and denser texture. It’s still very good made with AP flour too! Enjoy!

      Reply

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