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One Hour French Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 115 reviews

This One Hour French Bread recipe delivers a soft, chewy interior with a crispy golden crust in just about an hour. With a simple mix of yeast, flour, and butter, plus a quick rise, you can enjoy fresh homemade French bread without the long wait. Perfect for sandwiches, dipping, or serving alongside your favorite meals.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough

  • 1 & 1/2 cups warm water
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 & 1/2 tablespoons dry yeast
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 & 1/2 tablespoons butter (softened)
  • 3 to 4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

For the Finish

  • 1 egg white (optional, for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it is hot and ready when you place the bread inside.
  2. Mix Yeast Mixture: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine warm water (about bath temperature), white sugar, dry yeast, and salt. Stir gently to mix.
  3. Activate Yeast: Place the bowl near the preheating oven and let the mixture sit for a couple minutes. Look for bubbles indicating the yeast is active. If no bubbles appear, the yeast may be dead; start over with new yeast.
  4. Add Butter and Flour: Add the softened butter and 1 cup of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir together with a wooden spoon until combined.
  5. Incorporate Remaining Flour: Using a dough hook or wooden spoon, gradually stir in 2 more cups of flour, then add the last cup 1/4 cup at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides but remains slightly sticky. Most of the fourth cup of flour is usually used.
  6. Knead Dough: Knead the dough for 6-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can do this by hand or with a stand mixer.
  7. Prepare Baking Surface: Spray a baking sheet or baguette pan with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
  8. Shape Loaves: Shape the dough into either one large loaf (12-14 inches) or two smaller loaves, depending on your pan size.
  9. Score the Loaf: Use a sharp serrated knife to make 3-4 half-inch slits across the top of the dough. This helps the bread expand while baking.
  10. Let Dough Rise: Cover the dough with a clean tea towel and let it rise for 20 minutes until roughly doubled in size.
  11. Prepare Egg Wash: Whisk the egg white in a small bowl with a fork until frothy. Brush the tops and sides of the loaf or loaves with the egg white for a glossy golden crust.
  12. Bake the Bread: Place the bread in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes. It is done when the crust is shiny, golden, and the bottom is browned. Longer baking results in a crispier crust.
  13. Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool slightly, then serve warm with butter or your favorite accompaniments. Enjoy!

Notes

  • The water temperature is crucial to activating the yeast; it should be warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
  • The dough should be slightly sticky but pull away from the sides of the bowl—adjust flour quantity accordingly.
  • If you don’t have a baguette pan, a regular baking sheet works fine.
  • Egg white brushing is optional but gives the bread a shiny, golden crust.
  • For a softer crust, omit or reduce the egg white wash and cover the bread loosely after baking.
  • You can store leftover bread in an airtight container for 1-2 days or freeze it for longer preservation.

Keywords: French bread, homemade bread, quick bread recipe, easy French bread, yeast bread, baking bread

Find it online: https://lieblingsmahlzeit.com/one-hour-french-bread-recipe/